The river area was exceptionally muddy and the lioness was heading for one of the few areas where drinking water was still available when the hippo rose in defense of its territory.
The moment was filmed by Kerry Balaam.
The lioness approached the muddy waterhole with measured steps. Her golden coat was strikingly contrasted against the dark, damp earth.
She remained on high alert, her ears twitching at every sound. She knew that predators or rivals could be nearby, also drawn by the scarce water source.
She was close to having a drink of water, when the muddy hippo arose from the water’s depths. It presented a colossal figure. Its mud covering made it appear even more imposing.
The hippo caught the lioness by surprise and she was visibly started.
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Lioness turns to leave waterhole
As desperate as she was for water, she turned abruptly and began to walk in the opposite direction.
A clash between a lion and a hippo is rare, but when it happens, it is a dramatic and dangerous encounter.
Lions are powerful predators, however, a hippo is a formidable opponent with incredible strength. A hippo’s massive body can weigh up to 3 000kg. It also has jaws that can crush bones with a bite force far stronger than a lion’s.
Most of the time, lions avoid adult hippos unless the hippo is injured, sick, or far from water where it feels vulnerable. The lioness was also alone, away from her pride. She was not about to risk having a drink of water in the face of this kind of threat.
Lioness keeps eye on hippo as she walks away
The hippo kept its focus on the lioness as she sauntered away. It did not move an inch. It did not need to. It was mountain-like in its stature and its presence was enough to scare off intruders.
She in turn kept glancing back, making sure the hippo wasn’t following her. Hippos are also highly territorial and the lioness must have realised she had ventured onto the hippo’s turf.
She continued to walk away, her thirst unsatisfied. However, a drink of water was an easy thing to forego if it meant avoiding a confrontation with an aggressive hippo.
She would have to find another place in the muddy river area to find a drink of water.
Hippo relaxes knowing territory is once again safe
The hippo returned to wallowing in the muddy water, satisfied that its territory was once again secured.
Hippos are particularly fond of wading into the mud. They will spend most of their day submerged in water or mud to keep their massive bodies cool. This is because their skin is sensitive to sunburn.
Their skin secretes a natural reddish oily substance often called ‘blood sweat’, which acts as both a sunscreen and an anti-bacterial agent.
This incredible close encounter between the lioness and hippo ended with the silent understanding that this waterhole belonged to the hippo… at least for this day.