Despite their depiction in media, hippos are one of the most dangerous animals in the world. They are fiercely territorial and powerful creatures, and most animals know to steer clear of them.
When a group of tourists saw an elephant wading into the river, they expected the worst. This “big-tusker” elephant dwarfed the water horses, but more than 20 hippos were floating in the water.
At first, it looked like a stand-off. The hippos lounged in the river, and the elephant sucked up water and poured it onto their back. Then, the elephant flapped its ears and walked forward.
Instead of lashing out at the gentle giant, the hippos created a path. “The amount of mutual respect between the two was fascinating,” said one commenter. “The elephant walks slowly, and the hippos part for the elephant.”
It was no wonder this stunning footage gained nearly 6 million views. Almost 15 years since it was filmed, this short video still captures the imagination and instills a sense of awe in the viewer.
Despite the danger, the elephant did not look back as they crossed the river, and the hippos gave them a wide berth. Once they were on the other side, the brave animal began snacking on the plants.
Hippos might be dangerous, but this elephant displayed a sense of grace and power that is unmatched in the animal kingdom. There can be only one king of the jungle, and in this case it was an elephant.
