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Must see: Massive hippo chases tourist boat in African waterway
FOX Weather • • world
Key Points:
- A tourist boat in Botswana encountered a territorial male hippo that suddenly charged and chased the boat through shallow waters, creating a frightening experience for those on board.
- The hippo, weighing between 3,500 and 10,000 pounds and measuring up to 16.5 feet long, displayed its unique bounding motion through the water while pursuing the boat.
- Despite being herbivores, hippos are highly territorial and responsible for more human deaths in Africa annually than lions, making such encounters potentially dangerous.
- The boat captain initially slowed down to avoid disturbing the hippo but had to accelerate when the animal began to chase them, causing genuine concern among the tourists.
- The incident highlights the importance of respecting hippos' territories and ensuring safety measures during wildlife tours in their natural habitats.
