Lions attack a hippo [10 pictures]

These photos of lions attacking and finally completely subduing a hippopotamus were taken in 2006 by photographer Andrew Schoeman. The lions cornered the hippo in a small pool of water. The battle lasted several hours and involved numerous attacks from the lions as well as counter-charges from the hippo.

Read Schoeman’s account.

The intrigue of this story is not just the wild perseverance of the creatures involved, but the unlikelihood that it happened at all, let alone when a photographer was nearby…

The attack’s rarity is illustrated by another study done in the Kruger region, which was conducted between 1933 and 1966…. That survey identified 46,181 kills by carnivores—only 6 of which were hippos killed by lions.

Finally, for perspective, Luke Hunter, president of the wild cat conservation group Panthera notes the obvious but important fact, “[It] seems terrible—but lions have to eat.”

(via Sly Oyster)

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Category: Amazing, Animals

4 Responses

  1. zachl says:

    “i am not an animal!”

  2. AStev says:

    Lucky (for the lions) that there were two of them, as a hippo will often kill a solitary lion.

  3. MKPNG says:

    Actually it appears that there is around five lions. All male. Two old black mane, two younger but mature, and one fairly young.
    That is just was I see.

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