An unhappy elephant forces a relaxing hippo from the Kwa Maritane waterhole in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.
The Plianesberg National Park
The Pilanesberg National Park is located on the slopes of a 2-billion-year-old volcano. Kwa Maritane, or “Place of the Rock” offers unparalleled comfort in a malaria free area, less than two hours from Johannesburg.
When an elephant meets a hippo
A hippo is enjoying some quiet time at the Kwa Maritane waterhole. The hippo’s relaxing time is cut short when an elephant appears.
Elephants are very protective over precious water sources in the bush, and will often chase other animals away. Elephants are the largest animals, and very often other animals, even hippos, will avoid any confrontation.
This hippo takes no chances, and rushes out of the waterhole as the elephant approaches closer and closer. The elephant provides a disgruntled trumpet as an audible warning.
What the hippo does next
Surprisingly, after being chased and warned, the hippo pretends to leave, but then quickly turns back towards the waterhole and gets back in. The elephant seems stumped at this point. But the elephant does not let it fly.
The elephant continues the chase, and the hippo, this time stumbling in the dust, manages to escape. The elephant, victorious.
