We often hear stories of humans swooping in to save each other, but apparently, animals do this too.
A viral video appears to show that the four legged inhabitants of Kruger National Park in South Africa are quick to defend one another when a predator is in their midst, but National Geographic says that might not be the full story.
A couple who was visiting the park shot the amazing video clip of two hippos who seem to rescue a wildebeest from the deathly grip of a crocodile as the rest of the wildebeest’s pack just looks on.
The video shows a wildebeest after it was being attacked by the crocodile. The animal was standing at the edge of a body of water when it was attacked. The video of the vicious attack shows the wildebeest violently kicking and trying to free itself as the crocodile is latched onto its leg.
The wildebeest fiercely fights for its life but is slowly dragged into the body of water by the crocodile.The wildebeest continues to kick and try to wiggle away but seems to get tuckered out and give up.
The wildebeest can be seen descending further and further underneath the water by the crocodile below.
That’s when two hippopotamuses appear from the other side of the body of water. They slowly move in on the crocodile and toward the poor defenseless wildebeest. They creep closer and closer as the wildebeest continues to struggle.
One of the hippos charges full force at the crocodile, which apparently scared the wits out of him because he let go of the wildebeest. The wildebeest immediately fled.
However, the poor animal’s leg was broken and you can see his foot dangling to the side as he tries to run away on his ankle. The hippopotamuses efforts might have been in vain as the wildebeest’s injury looked pretty bad.
The video seems to be a beautiful example of how animals possess bravery and emotions just like humans do.
Or is it?
National Geographic Explorer and University of California Santa Barbara Professor Douglas McCauley said it was incidental and that the hippos were just being territorial. They didn’t like the crocodile being so close to their watering hole so they charged at the croc.
“My best guess is that the hippos are acting very aggressive toward anything that tries to enter the water. They’ll come charging in and try to drive you away,” he told National Geographic.
You can watch the video below and decide for yourself.
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