In this unforgettable sighting filmed by Megan Pearson in the Kruger National Park, it took just one hippo to cause an entire pride of lions to scatter.
Lionesses gather to drink water
The pride, mostly lionesses, had gathered around the water’s edge for a drink of water. They stayed on guard as in the waters nearby was a pod of hippos.
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Three of the hippos could be seen standing in the shallow waters. Among them was a hippo calf.
While the lions appeared to be minding their own business, one of the hippos was particularly aggressive. Hippos are highly territorial animals and the pride was too close to the water’s edge for this hippos liking. They were also close to the young hippo, which is one of the reasons hippos will attack.
Hippo approaches pride of lions
The hippo started to walk slowly towards the lions, holding their full attention. This was a particularly large pride of lions, consisting of 15 members.
They watched the hippo as it waded slowly towards them.
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Hippo picks up pace and charges
The hippo soon picked up pace and began to charge towards the pride of lions. It barreled towards them, in a display of dominance and aggression.
The lions, which had been lounging by the water’s edge, were up in a flash. This was an angry hippo!
They ran up the banks, while still keeping an eye on the hippo.
The hippo didn’t stop at the water’s edge. It continued to walk up the sandy banks with frightening pace.
The lions kept a wide berth. While there was just one hippo and 15 of them, taking on an aggressive hippo would have been risky business.
Lionesses generally do not challenge adult hippos unless under exceptional circumstances. This is because adult hippos are among the most dangerous and powerful animals in Africa. They can weigh over 1 500kg, have massive tusk-like canines, and are highly aggressive when threatened.
While lions are apex predators, they tend to avoid direct confrontations with healthy adult hippos.
The hippo now stood on the sandy shores, quite a distance from the water, and held its ground.
It made it clear to the lions that while the species might be the King of the Jungle, they didn’t rule the waterholes.
The lions had hoped to get some peaceful drinking time in, however, they would have to wait until a more opportune time to drink. There weren’t prepared to challenge this determined hippo.
Even on land hippos can put up quite a fight. A full-grown hippo can run at speeds of up to 30 km/h over short distances on land. This is faster than most humans!
A large pride of 15 lions can coordinate well to take on large prey. However, a healthy adult hippo is not easy prey. Even though it was 15 to 1 in this confrontation, the strength of the hippo could have seriously killed or injured one of the lions.
Woman Adopts Her Perfect Dog, But One Heartbreaking Vet Visit Changes Everything
In the vast sea of dog stories, this particular one had me break into a million pieces! Taylor and Ozzie’s story is real proof of how incredible the bond between dogs and humans can be.
You laugh together, cry together, you share the most intimate secrets and moments, and you just can’t imagine living life without each other anymore! But, what do you do when everything goes wrong? What happens then?
Ozzy’s life story will reveal how truly inspiring the human-dog bond can be, even in what can only be called the worst of times.
Ozzie Was The Perfect Dog
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Taylor adopted Ozzie at just a few weeks of age. She looked on Craigslist for puppies needing to be rehomed and saw a picture of a floppy-eared, brown pup with one blue and one brown eye – and she instantly fell in love!
Ozzie looked like the perfect dog, and the fact that she had to drive from North Carolina all the way to Washington D.C. didn’t stop her! She was inclined to adopt him!
“I was in college, didn’t have that much money, had 3 roommates, was in school full time, played tennis for college full time, and worked part time. How could I fit a puppy into that schedule,” Taylor wrote on Instagram.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The two formed an amazing bond right off the bat! He was just an amazing pup that adapted into the new life in no time. In a way, both Taylor and Ozzie shared the same hobbies and interests.
Both loved hiking, going to the beach, walking in the park, and basically any outdoor activity.
“He is THE adventure guy. He loves to go hiking, to the beach, kayaking, in the snow, to breweries, parks, literally you put him in the car (or on a train, yes, he has been on a train) and he is ready for the adventure,” wrote Taylor.
Every time they had a chance to embark on a new adventure – they took it! Ozzie has always been an adventurous boi, and that really made his new mom fall in love with him even more!
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Years later, Taylor and her partner adopted another dog, Lulu, who became Ozzie’s best friend.
The two formed an incredible bond and really enjoyed each other’s company. Their playtime was practically a zoomie-show, and despite the fact that both were so energetic, they would always end the day with the sweetest snuggling ever!
Several amazing years later, Taylor noticed Ozzie limping, and she immediately rushed him to the vet. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was horrible!
The Devastating Vet Visit
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The vet took Ozzie to do some X-rays, and ten minutes later, he came out with the heartbreaking diagnosis. Ozzie suffered from osteosarcoma – a bone tumor and he only had a couple of months to live.
After receiving the news, Taylor was devastated. She called her husband who immediately left work and came. Luckily, there was one option to extend Ozzie’s life for several extra months – the amputation of his front leg and chemo.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The couple didn’t think twice. They agreed to subject Ozzie to treatment despite all the hardship and extra commitment that awaited.
But, even through his surgery – Ozzie was just the most enthusiastic, happiest boi! He didn’t take the smile off his face even for one bit. He was a real fighter, and so were his parents!
Ozzie got his own, big bag that Taylor and her husband got just for walks. As he didn’t have so much strength (especially after chemo) to hike and walk like he used to, the couple carried him on their back, sometimes even for several miles.
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A post shared by Lulu & forever Ozzie (@livingdogfriendly)
They just couldn’t stand the idea of Ozzie not being able to enjoy his favorite things – and this was the only way to do it. His mom and dad did everything to make his quality of life better, and despite his progressing disease, Ozzie enjoyed every single moment!
The entire family helped Ozzie during his journey. Taylor’s dad, who was also battling cancer and lived in another state, felt the need to support this big boi. He’d send ice cream for Ozzie after every chemo session, which was just the cutest thing ever.
And, Lulu was just the greatest sister ever. Normally, she’s extremely hyper, but once she realized her brother was in pain, she turned into the gentlest sibling ever.
Your Memory Will Be Preserved, Good Boi
Source: @livingdogfriendly
After months of battling with his terminal disease, Ozzie sadly crossed the rainbow bridge. He lost the battle with cancer in March 2023 and went to eternal sleep.
Taylor and her husband were very heartbroken to part ways with Ozzie, but the fact that this beautiful boi had an amazing life till his last breath helped them cope.
“You touched so many lives, more than I had ever imagined a dog could. The love you gave was ever present and you lit up every room you walked into,” Taylor wrote in the touching Instagram post.
Ozzie was a unique dog, and he indeed made his family’s life so beautiful! Taylor and her family have moved to a new home in Virginia, but if I can say one thing with certainty, it’s that his legacy will certainly be remembered by his loved ones… Forever!
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