Humphrey the Pet Hippo Mauls His Owner to Death

[Liberal_in_LA]

Humphrey the Pet Hippo Mauls His Owner to Death

In the tragically familiar case of “domesticated” exotic animals turning on their owner, Humphrey the hippo has mauled his keeper to death. South African army major and farmer Marius Els, who kept the 2,600 lb. hippo as a pet on his farm, was killed after Humphrey reportedly dragged him into a river after mauling him. Els was found Saturday, bitten many times and then left in the water for an undetermined length of time.

It was an unexpected bout of violence for the pair, as Els treated the hippo “like a son.” He said, “There’s a relationship between me and Humphrey and that’s what some people don’t understand.”

The 40-year-old farmer raised Humphrey from the age of five months, after the young hippo was stranded during a flood. Currently six years old, the hippo lives in a specially-built dam on the farm. Els would often ride on Humphrey’s back and hand-feed him apples, despite the beast’s razor-like teeth. Hippos are notorious for being one of the most dangerous animals in the world, but Humphrey seemed to buck that trend.

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/11/15/humphrey-the-pet-hippo-mauls-his-owner-to-death/#ixzz1dv0jLPMh

[teddy51]

1. I guess I no longer want a hippo for christmas anymore, ugh thats awful. n/t

[Liberal_in_LA]

2. hippos are super dangerous. Not a good idea to ride on their backs.

[applegrove]

18. Yeah I think they kill more people in africa than any other mammal.

[ellenfl]

3. didn't buck the trend for long, did he? eom

[Ian David]

4. We just watched this guy on Animal Planet, and I said, "The only way this can end is badly." n/t

[Liberal_in_LA]

8. they look so benign but. they aren't

[Poll_Blind]

16. !

That is beyond adorable! Amazing that something so deadly can be so tubby-cute and pincha-pincha-pinchable.

At least with tigers you don't wanna hug 'em so much- you get that "Enjoy me at a distance" kinda look.

PB

[stillwaiting]

26. Is that from the San Diego zoo?

I just saw a momma and her baby there a few months ago.

Cute as can be.

And clearly not supposed to be a pet.

[Capitalocracy]

5. A bout of violence unexpected by Marius Els...

very much expected by everyone else.

[AmericaIsGreat]

9. To be fair

I feel like if you asked him, honestly, he would say he admits the possibility of being injured or killed one day. I think these people are just willing to take the risk.

[Capitalocracy]

11. You may be right...

and I have very limited information on this (never heard of the guy before) but that quote about their special relationship makes me think this guy convinced himself the risk wasn't there.

[tblue37]

20. Like the man who palled around with grizzly bears--until they ate him. nt

[fascisthunter]

6. NOBODY should own a wild animal... no one!

[ProfessionalLeftist]

22. Agreed. And if they're stupid enough to try...

...then they deserve to get mauled, IMO. Idiots.

[fascisthunter]

24. they bring on themselves

...and then the animal gets shot for it. People are so selfish, they will kill themselves just to have what they want.

[SoCalNative]

7. I heard

that they're only dangerous when they're blowing bubbles and wiggling their ears...

[Poll_Blind]

10. Hippos are arguably the most dangerous animal in Africa. See this "Straight Dope" column:

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1862/are-hippos-the-most-dangerous-animal">Are hippos the most dangerous animal?

THEY SHOULD NOT PUT THE HIPPO DOWN

Hippos are crazy-dangerous animals and it is not their fault if they go all hippo on ya at the first chance.

This is not like when my Great Aunt Laura's spider monkey stole her Zippo and set the drapes on fire.

This sort of behavior is to be expected.

PB

[MilesColtrane]

12. Looks like Humphrey got tired of that shit.

[Liberal_in_LA]

30. wow!

[Ian David]

13. I wonder if they'll get rid of the rhino before it kills his wife. n/t

[Bosonic]

14. Same continent, different hippo (Jessica)

Currently different outcome, but everyday they flip fates coin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B54Bl5b1AXw

[Poll_Blind]

15. I had no idea people kept hippos as pets. That's crazy shit.

As you said, every day they flip fate's coin.

PB

[MoonRiver]

17. He treated the hippo "like a son."

Guess Humphrey didn't get the memo! :crazy:

[JCMach1]

19. Here he is is with his pet :( in happier times

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQFkgGW9jP4

[Safetykitten]

21. Remind me not to buy that game, "Hungry Hippos".

[Liberal_in_LA]

28. played that game as a child

[Douglas Carpenter]

23. just like my mother always warned me, "Never trust a hippopotamus. Just when you think they're your

friend - ka-bang - they'll turn on you every time."

[kudzu22]

25. I guess you can fix stupid

...the hard way. Who knew?

[LynneSin]

27. I hope they don't put the Hippo to sleep. The Hippo was just being a hippo

Shame on the man for thinking he could tame this beast.

[Liberal_in_LA]

29. +1000

[Rex]

31. Some sons kill their fathers.

Looks like Humphrey the 'pet' Hippo wasn't sure of his status either. Son or hippo? I think he picked hippo.