Watch the Sighting:
Solomzi Radebe, a field guide in Pilanesberg National Park, was out on safari with his guests one afternoon trying to decide where to explore next. Earlier in the day, he had spotted a pride of lions on their way to a nearby waterhole, and now on his second drive of the day, he wanted to venture there to see if he could spot them again.
As it was hot in the afternoon, Solomzi suspected that the lions would maybe be thirsty, but when he arrived at the waterhole, something far more exciting was occurring…
A Pride on the Hunt
Solomzi and his guests pulled up to the sighting just as the pride of lions were hunting a Tsessebe! As the lions ambushed the antelope, everyone watched in awe.
No other vehicles were present at the waterhole, so Solomzi’s group had the experience all to themselves!
Using their skillful teamwork the lions made their kill, and many hungry bellies, including a few cubs, excitedly ran over to feast on the spoils. While everyone was taking in the sighting, a bull hippo slowly emerged from the water, drawn by the action that had just taken place.
One Hippo’s Curiosity Turns into a Bold Action
Nobody could believe their eyes as the hippo began to make its way over to the lions, seemingly determined. As hippos can be very territorial, Solomzi thought this individual’s intention was to chase away the lions, but he soon learned that this was far from the case…
Two female hippos followed behind the male, who was now very close to the pride. In a tense standoff, the bull hippo opened his mouth wide to try and intimidate the lions.
The male lions stood confidently but the lionesses and cubs kept a bit of a distance, trying to sneak bites of the carcass here and there. As there were many hungry mouths to feed, the lions stood their ground, hissing to deter the giant hippo.
Curious Carnivores?
Hippos are widely known as grass grazers, but these mainly herbivorous giants have been known to dabble in carnivorous behaviour including eating carrion or even engaging in cannibalistic and predatory behaviours! In several instances, hippos have been caught eating dead animals found near the water, including by Solomzi himself who had previously observed a hippo eating a waterbuck carcass!
The anatomy of a hippo’s stomach does not have any adaptations to allow for meat-eating diet. Therefore, in these rare instances where a hippo may indulge in carnivorous behaviour, it is likely triggered by a lack of nutrients or simply abnormal behaviour.
A Once-In-A-Lifetime Sighting
Solomzi reflected on how lucky they were to have witnessed such an incredibly rare sighting: “I realized then that this sighting was not just rare but pure gold as lions on a kill wouldn’t ever allow other animals to come closer than 70m”.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Nobody could believe their eyes as the hippo managed to successfully invade the meal of the pride. They all ate the carcass together, mostly unbothered by each other’s presence!
Solomzi finally left the sighting when the hippo reentered the water after finishing his meal, and everyone felt very fortunate to have witnessed this extraordinary sighting! Nature never ceases to surprise, even the most experienced guides can witness something entirely new when they least expect it.