Hungry hippos who try swiping calf from its mother get taught a fierce lesson

[undeterred]

A female hippo proved that you should never come between a mother and her baby - no matter the species after she took on two attackers singlehandedly when they went for her calf.

The hippo mother was enjoying some bonding time with her young calf, at the Okovango Delta in Botswana, when a male and female hippo interrupted.

The assailants went for the baby, throwing it into the air with their fangs, and submerging it into the water during the vicious fight.

According to wildlife guide Joe Molekoa at the Seba camp in Botswana, who took the pictures, the calf's life was at risk during the fight, but the mother managed to grab it and swim away.

Fortunately, when Mr Molekoa returned the next day to find all was well with mother and baby who had returned to their tranquil routine.



Scarier than yesterday's baby Baboon post! http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018600431

Read more and see pictures at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2597059/Hungry-hippos-try-swiping-calf-mother-taught-fierce-lesson-singlehandedly-fights-Botswana-watering-hole.html#ixzz2xyBmhSfK

[Flaxbee]

1. hippos are fierce; do not f*ck with a momma and her calf!

even against two other hippos, momma will prevail.

I love them.

[Paulie]

2. Aren't hippos herbivores?

Why would they be hungry for baby hippo?

[Flaxbee]

3. probably territorial, not food-driven

because hippos are indeed herbivores.

check out this list: top 10 herbivores you probably want to avoid:
http://listverse.com/2010/01/10/top-10-herbivores-you-probably-want-to-avoid/

Edited to add the description of the hippo (#1 herbivore to avoid):
The hippopotamus is the most dangerous of all herbivores in Africa; it kills more people every year than lions, leopards and crocodiles.
Extremely territorial, the hippo, particularly the male, can weigh three tons or more, and has been known to attack both on water (even capsizing boats and kayaks) and on land, where it can run incredibly fast despite its fat appearance. It has the largest and mightiest jaws and longest canines of any mammal, and can bite an adult crocodile in half [YIKES!!]. Imagine, then, what it could do to you!



ALTHOUGH, apparently, if food is scarce, they will kill and eat young hippos - both for food and to prevent future territorial issues / food issues.

[Paulie]

4. Ah yes. Thanks for the reminder

Forgot about how territorial they are. I guess the play on "hungry hungry hippos" had me thinking eating marbles.