A two-year-old boy was rescued from the jaws of a hippopotamus that nearly swallowed him whole, thanks to a brave bystander, Uganda police said.
Hippopotamuses in the Victoria Nile near the Murchison Falls, one of the majestic natural sites in Africa at Murchison Falls National Park, northwest Uganda, on Jan. 25, 2020.
But a bystander, Chrispas Bagonza, witnessed the attack and rushed to the boy's aid. He threw stones at the hippo and scared the animal, causing it to release Paul from its mouth, police said The boy was immediately rushed to a nearby medical clinic. He was treated for injuries on his hand and later transferred to Bwera Hospital for further treatment. He made a full recovery and was discharged from the hospital and returned to his parents after receiving a vaccine for rabies, authorities said. "Although the hippo was scared back into the lake, all residents near animal sanctuaries and habitats, should know that wild animals are very dangerous," Uganda police warned.
Hippos are notoriously aggressive and are in fact the deadliest large land mammal on the planet, killing an estimated 500 people each year. Despite their docile appearance and huge size – adult hippos can weigh up to four tons – they can run up to 20 miles per hour and are excellent swimmers. Their jaws can open to 180 degrees and chomp down with a force 10 times the strength of human jaws, with sharp teeth that can grow to more than one and a half feet long.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2-year-old boy rescued after being swallowed by a hippo in UgandaKnown as one of the most dangerous animals on the planet, hippos can snap a canoe in half with their strong jaws, according to National Geographic.
Read more »
2-year-old boy rescued after being swallowed by a hippo in UgandaKnown as one of the most dangerous animals on the planet, hippos can snap a canoe in half with their strong jaws, according to National Geographic.
Read more »
2-year-old boy rescued after being swallowed by a hippo in UgandaKnown as one of the most dangerous animals on the planet, hippos can snap a canoe in half with their strong jaws, according to National Geographic.
Read more »
2-year-old boy rescued after being swallowed by a hippo in UgandaKnown as one of the most dangerous animals on the planet, hippos can snap a canoe in half with their strong jaws, according to National Geographic.
Read more »
2-year-old boy rescued after being swallowed by a hippo in UgandaKnown as one of the most dangerous animals on the planet, hippos can snap a canoe in half with their strong jaws, according to National Geographic.
Read more »
2-year-old boy rescued after being swallowed by a hippo in UgandaKnown as one of the most dangerous animals on the planet, hippos can snap a canoe in half with their strong jaws, according to National Geographic.
Read more »