http://www.inquisitr.com/15967...ring-piggyback-ride/

Many people told South African farmer Marius Els that he couldn’t possible domesticate a Hippopotamus but the 40-year-old army major wouldn’t take their word for it and now he has been killed by his “hippo son.”

The man’s 6-year-old wild “pet” hippo (which he as been raising since 5-months-old) was considered a part of the family and weighed in at 2,600 pounds.

Els was so close to the hippo that he would ride on it’s back, feed it and pet it. It was during a ride on his pets back that Els was grabbed by the wild animal and dragged into the water where he drowned.

In an earlier interview Els said of his pet:

“Humphrey’s like a son to me, he’s just like a human.”

Els would later add:

“There’s a relationship between me and Humphrey and that’s what some people don’t understand … They think you can only have a relationship with dogs, cats and domestic animals. But I have a relationship with the most dangerous animal in Africa.”

While Marius called his hippopotamus a “gentle giant” Humphrey was known to cause issues, including one incident in which he chased a grandfather and grandson into the trees while they were canoeing. Humphrey also broke out of his enclosure on several occasions and made his way to a local golf club where he would chase golfers around the course.

Here’s a video chronicling the Marius Els and Humphrey relationship:

No new lessons were learned.

Mangwana

Don't be so hasty. I learned that there's a video of a man (now deceased) who thought it was OK to ride a hippo.

Video in link. You too can be be astounded. Or not.

quote:

Originally posted by subsailor74:
No new lessons were learned.

Mangwana

+1
I already knew that swimming with a hippo might not be the smartest thing to do....

Another bites the dust.

Mike

Related to Tim Treadwell?

Just asking

Our collective IQ has now increased..

What a nit wit.