Africa’s most perilous mammal is not the lion, leopard, or hyena, but the hippopotamus, according to experts. Despite the common misconception of hippos being cute and friendly, they are fiercely territorial and capable of extreme aggression. With the most powerful bite in the animal kingdom, they can outswim humans in water and outrun them on land.
A vivid example of the hippo’s danger occurred when Zambezi River tour guide Paul Templer was attacked near the iconic Victoria Falls. Despite being a seasoned 27-year-old guide who knew the territory well, he was ambushed by a massive bull hippo he recognized.
The hippo charged at Paul unexpectedly and swiftly, causing him to feel a sudden impact from behind. As chaos ensued, another guide, Evans, was thrown off his kayak by the two-ton creature. Paul scrambled to protect the group by directing them to safety before attempting to rescue Evans.
In a terrifying turn of events, Paul found himself trapped inside the hippo’s mouth, surrounded by a foul smell and wiry bristles. Despite being waist-deep inside, he miraculously managed to escape momentarily before being dragged back underwater by the relentless hippo.
The vicious attack continued as the hippo inflicted nearly 40 bite wounds on Paul, using its immense bite force to maul him. Eventually, after a moment of stillness underwater, the hippo released him, allowing another guide to pull him to safety.
Although Paul survived, he sustained severe injuries, with his left arm crushed and his chest torn open. Quick-thinking actions, like sealing his wounds with food wrappers, proved critical in saving his life. Despite the grim prognosis of potential amputations, Paul lost only his left arm in the end.
Tragically, Evans, the fellow guide, did not survive the encounter, as his body was discovered downstream two days later. The harrowing incident highlighted the inherent danger posed by hippos, shedding light on the often underestimated threat they pose in the wild.
