Aggressive Elephant Storms into Shallow Water to Chase Off a Hippo

Elephants in natural habitat in South Africa.
© Cautron Live/Shutterstock.com

Written by Chris Madden

Updated: October 18, 2023

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In the awe-inspiring video below, the scene unfolds with an enraged elephant charging into a vast, muddy body of water, fueled by an unmistakable fury. Its sole mission? To chase off a fully grown hippo that had inadvertently found itself in the elephant’s path. The tension in the air is palpable as the video begins.

Watch This Elephant Prove That Size Does Matter!

Clash of Titans: Huge Elephant Sends a Fully Grown Hippo Running!

At the water’s edge, the hippo glances warily at the approaching behemoth, its eyes widening with alarm. In an impressive display of dominance, the elephant lets out a resonant trumpet, reverberating through the surroundings, and immediately sets its sights on the hippo. With a thunderous charge, the colossal elephant rushes towards its intended target. The sheer size and power of the elephant loom over the hippo, leaving no room for defiance. Realizing the overwhelming disadvantage, the hippo swiftly retreats, fleeing from the impending confrontation. The muddy water is thrown into disarray as both creatures plow through it, their movements creating a chaotic whirlpool of splashing and churning waves.

An isolated elephant amongst a pod of hippopotamus in Erindi National Park, Namibia, Southern Africa

An elephant’s immense size will allow it to challenge even numerous hippos at a time.

©paula french/Shutterstock.com

Undeterred, the elephant utilizes its formidable trunk and massive tusks to deliver forceful blows to the fleeing hippo, displaying its unwavering determination to establish dominance. Each strike resonates with power, further solidifying the elephant’s reign in this intense struggle. The tension reaches its peak as the hippo manages to make a daring escape from the water, leaving the elephant momentarily behind. However, this respite proves to be short-lived, as the relentless pursuit continues with unyielding determination. Without faltering, the elephant charges after the hippo, closing the distance between them with each relentless stride.

The video concludes with the two figures fading into the distance, the chase still unfolding in the vast expanse. You’ll be left captivated by the raw display of power, rivalry, and the unyielding pursuit showcased below by these majestic creatures.

How Often Do These Humongous Foes Come Face to Face?

elephant messing with hippos in Amboseli National park in Kenya

Elephants and hippos prefer to leave each other alone, but in times of resource scarcity such as drought the two behemoth species may clash over water sources.

©Kaitlind Fasburg/Shutterstock.com

Elephants occasionally challenge hippos for access to water or territory, although such encounters are relatively rare. Due to their immense size and strength, hippos are formidable opponents. Few other animals can match the sheer size and power of a fully-grown hippo. However, there are a few exceptional creatures that could potentially challenge a hippo’s dominance. Large predators such as the Nile crocodile and as we see in the footage below, the aggressive African elephant. These animals possess their own impressive attributes and could pose a significant threat in certain circumstances. Nevertheless, confrontations between hippos and other formidable creatures remain infrequent. Most animals tend to give them a wide berth, respecting the might and territorial nature of the hippopotamus.

Are Elephants Normally This Aggressive to Other Animals?

While elephants are generally peaceful animals, they can display aggression towards other animals when provoked or in specific circumstances. Interactions between elephants and hippos, like the one depicted in the video below, are relatively rare. Elephants may exhibit aggression to protect their young, defend their territory, or compete for resources such as water or food. In such situations, elephants may use their size, tusks, and trunk to intimidate or even attack other animals, including hippos. However, it’s important to note that such aggressive encounters are not the norm and are more likely to occur in instances of competition or perceived threats. In general, elephants prioritize peaceful coexistence and social interactions within their own species.


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About the Author

Chris is a lifelong animal lover with a passion for writing and a natural tendency to explore the internet in pursuit of new wildlife and nature facts! He is completing his Bachelors in Political Science at Concordia University in the Spring of 2024 after a science-centric high school career. Aside from studying and writing for A-Z Animals, he has a budding music career and enjoy spending time outside year-round, from swimming to skiing!

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