When thinking of Nature, we often picture creatures living harmoniously. However, as this footage reminds us, there are bullies in Nature too.
Tobias Weber submitted this footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while staying at Ngwenya Lodge, on the southern boundary of South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Giants in the river
As we join Tobias and his companions, we see a teenage elephant wading in the shallows of the Crocodile River.
Ahead of the young bull is a herd of hippos…
Then, as we hear one of Tobias companions gasp, we realise that the elephant is chasing the hippos.
Teenage tormentor
The hippo herd comprises two adults and two calves, possibly explaining their haste in moving away from their teenage tormentor.
Although the elephant is not yet fully grown, it is already much bigger than even the adult hippos. And, as a teenager, he is all about showing off.
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Better safe than sorry
However, even though the elephant is probably just showing off, the hippos are taking no chances, especially with two precious calves to protect.
Meanwhile, the young bull seems to feel the hippos are not giving him his due respect. With ears flared, he picks up his pace in pursuit of the hippos.
Tense moments
Seemingly enjoying himself a great deal, the bullying bull splashes after the hippos. Meanwhile, up ahead, the adult hippos suddenly sink into deeper water.
However, one of the baby hippos is lagging behind. By this point, the elephant is just a few metres away.
Consequently, things become a little tense. While the elephant is playing, they are unpredictable and well capable of injuring or killing a hippo.
Saved by the sinkhole
Thankfully, however, just when we think the calf might be in trouble, it, too, sinks into deeper water. Even so, elephants have no problem fully submerging themselves.
But, as the bull feels the gradient beneath his feet steepen, he comes to an abrupt halt. Consequently, as the hippos swim to safety, the belligerent bull is left in their wake.
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Poser
As he watches them move off, the bull stand with ears flared and tail held horizontally. In elephant body language, this indicates an animal that is agitated and on high alert.
By adopting this pose, he is trying to intimidate his adversary by making himself look as big as possible.
Safer out of water
As the video draws to its end, we see the mother hippo leading her two calves on dry land. Ironically, hippos normally flee into water when they feel threatened.
That said, it is probably not every day that they have to deal with a home invasion by a teenage bully with a point to prove.
