Watch This Stranded Lion Hang On for Dear Life to Avoid Hungry Hippos

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Seeing a lion in a bind can be pretty shocking, as we usually find them doing the chasing. Known for their ability to stalk and ambush a variety of prey, these apex predators are often seen as the victors in the story. However, the video above shows us that most times in nature, there’s likely something bigger and stronger than you. In this case, a vicious group of hippopotamuses had a male lion surrounded, and he was hanging on a massive rock for dear life in the middle of a river.

According to the clip’s narrator, the hippos aggressively pursued this lone male lion, who narrowly escaped and retreated onto the rock. To add insult to injury, one hippo in the herd launches an attack while the lion remains stranded on the rock. Eventually, the lion is able to dodge the attack, and at perhaps the most dire point in his life, he leaps off the rock and swims downstream against the river current. With one hippo camouflaged under the water, the lion makes one more quick maneuver and escapes.

Is It Common for Hippos to Attack Lions?

Hippos are not only physically imposing, but their territorial behavior makes them one of nature’s most intimidating forces. As adult males, hippos weigh 3,300 pounds on average, with massive jaws and two large tusks built for battle. These semi-aquatic behemoths spend much of their time around bodies of water, often prime territory for predator species like lions. They vigilantly patrol their domain. Therefore, hippos will attack lions when they infringe on their territory.

Hippos don’t take too kindly to visitors, especially ones that have to keep a watchful eye out for. Unfortunately, this includes human visitors, who come into contact with hippos when traveling by boat. On average, hippos kill 500 people per year.

Are Lions Brave Enough to Take on Hippos?

While it might not appear the wisest decision, lions will hunt hippos if they are desperate to eat. On rare occasions like this, lions will assemble their pride and surround the hippo, using their collective strength to land enough vital blows to take the monster down. However, this is a difficult task given the hippo’s brutal force and leathery skin that acts as armor. Alternatively, and more realistically, the group will pick off a younger or weaker (sicklier) hippo. Either way, it would bring in a massive feast for the pride.