-Hippo Saves Gnu from Crocodile-
This is the incredible moment a heroic hippo stepped in to save a vulnerable gnu from certain death at the hands of a hungry and fearsome crocodile.After the predator bit into the wildebeest and started to drag the animal underwater, a nearby hippo made its way across the water to step in.
The rotund animal chased the crocodile away and is then seen guarding the gnu and at one point nudges the animal to move it out of harm's way.Hippos are largely herbivorous creatures and after the brave hippopotamus stepped in to save the day the antelope managed to escape to safety.
The jaw dropping moment stunned onlookers and was captured by Israeli photographer Vadim Onishchenko who was on safari in Masai Mara, Kenya.Mr Onishchenko said: "It was an incredible moment, the hippo actually tried to push it out of the water and then guarded the gnu to prevent the crocs getting close.
"I have heard of cases where the animals instinct is to protect the other species, I think the hippos parental instincts took over."The hippos are probably the only animal not afraid of the crocs and I would even say the hippo is the only animal the crocodiles are afraid of."
The 34-year-old said that the gnu seemed in shock after being targeted by the crocodile but it seemed uninjured.Mr Onishchenko added: "Even our safari guide was stunned by the hippos behaviour, he said he had never seen anything like it before."It was certainly an unforgettable moment, I feel honoured to have seen such a spectacle."
This is the incredible moment a heroic hippo stepped in to save a vulnerable gnu from certain death at the hands of a hungry and fearsome crocodile.After the predator bit into the wildebeest and started to drag the animal underwater, a nearby hippo made its way across the water to step in.
The rotund animal chased the crocodile away and is then seen guarding the gnu and at one point nudges the animal to move it out of harm's way.Hippos are largely herbivorous creatures and after the brave hippopotamus stepped in to save the day the antelope managed to escape to safety.
The jaw dropping moment stunned onlookers and was captured by Israeli photographer Vadim Onishchenko who was on safari in Masai Mara, Kenya.Mr Onishchenko said: "It was an incredible moment, the hippo actually tried to push it out of the water and then guarded the gnu to prevent the crocs getting close.
"I have heard of cases where the animals instinct is to protect the other species, I think the hippos parental instincts took over."The hippos are probably the only animal not afraid of the crocs and I would even say the hippo is the only animal the crocodiles are afraid of."
The 34-year-old said that the gnu seemed in shock after being targeted by the crocodile but it seemed uninjured.Mr Onishchenko added: "Even our safari guide was stunned by the hippos behaviour, he said he had never seen anything like it before."It was certainly an unforgettable moment, I feel honoured to have seen such a spectacle."
