In the untamed world of animals, even giants can clash—and this jaw-dropping moment from Erindi Private Game Reserve in Namibia shows just how intense those encounters can be. A mother hippopotamus was flipped high into the air by an aggressive elephant bull, all in a desperate attempt to protect her calf and defend her space.
This rare wildlife scene was captured by Rian van Schalkwyk, a 40-year-old wildlife photographer and GP from Namibia. While relaxing with family on a viewing deck overlooking a drought-hit waterhole, he witnessed a sight he calls “the most spectacular” of his life.
A Life-and-Death Struggle in Seconds
It began quietly, with a group of hippos grazing on grass placed out by rangers due to food shortages. Suddenly, a massive elephant bull emerged from the bush—at first calm, but growing visibly irritated as the hippos came closer.
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When one mother hippo edged slightly too close, the elephant charged and struck her with his trunk, launching her several feet into the air. Despite weighing over 1.5 tonnes, the hippo landed on her back and tumbled down the embankment in a dramatic 360-degree roll.
“She stayed in the water for five minutes before emerging,” said Rian. “She had only a minor cut—but you could tell she was stunned.”
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After the attack, the elephant displayed more aggressive behavior, mock-charging other hippos and even chasing crocodiles from the waterhole. The mother hippo, although reunited with her calf, was shunned by the herd and forced to stand apart.
Rian reflected, “It was a mix of awe and sadness. We were speechless—no one spoke for minutes after. Just silence.”
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