Horrifying moment an enraged hippo attacks its zoo keeper after he tried to break up a fight between two territorial bulls in their enclosure in China
Horrific moment as an angry hippo attacks zoo keeper after he tried to break up a fight between two territorial bulls in their enclosure in China
- Terrifying footage shows the zoo keeper slipping as the hippo approaches him
This is the horrific moment an angry hippo began attacking the zoo keeper after he tried to break up his fight with another territorial bull in their enclosure.
Heartbreaking footage shows the man – who had entered the enclosure to feed the animal – clambering out of the cage in a desperate bid to prevent a fatal attack at the Changsha Ecological Zoo in China’s Hunan province.
Amid the rush to run for his life, the zoo keeper slides across the wet concrete entrance with the hippo ready to launch a devastating attack.
As the enraged hippo bares its enormous teeth menacingly, the man uses his arms and feet to prevent the hungry animal from approaching him.
The hippo briefly left its caretaker alone as it continued to eat greenery, but when the man got back up, it charged at him again just as he left the enclosure. This time he was able to get to safety.
This is the horrifying moment a hippopotamus bared its huge teeth as it approached its zoo keeper
The video shows the man trying to climb out of the cage, but he slips and the hippo starts chasing him
It is understood the zoo keeper had entered the enclosure to feed the animal before two hippos began attacking each other.
Footage shows the territorial bulls attacking each other before the zoo keeper flies out of the pen.
The zoo keeper had tried to break up the fight by distracting one of the hippos, but was sent fleeing when they turned their anger on him.
Amazingly, the zookeeper escaped unharmed after the horror clash on September 24.
Changsha Forestry Bureau officials are now investigating the incident.
A spokesperson said: ‘Zoo staff have been given instructions on when it is safe to enter the enclosure of all animals.
‘They need to be extra careful and avoid situations where males are fighting or when females are in heat.’
Hippopotamus attacks on humans are rare, but can be fatal. Hippos are very territorial animals and will attack if they feel threatened.
The zoo keeper uses his hands and feet to try to keep the hippo alone while it feeds on greenery
Finally, the hippo runs in the opposite direction. Amazingly, the zookeeper escaped unharmed after the horror collision
They are also very large and powerful, and their bites can be fatal.
Last month, an environmental crime investigator died after being attacked by a hippopotamus while camping with his wife in a national park.
Kobus De Wet was attacked and killed by the hippopotamus during his stay in the Kruger National Park in South Africa.
A spokesperson for the South African National Parks (SANParks) – where De Wet worked – said the tragedy occurred during the day on August 12.