In the heart of Namibia’s Erindi Private Game Reserve, a remarkable tale of maternal bravery unfolded, capturing the attention of onlookers and leaving them in awe of nature’s resilience and drama.
On a serene afternoon, as the sun cast its golden glow over the savannah, wildlife photographer Rian Van Schalkwyk found himself at the right place at the right time. Little did he know that he would bear witness to a heart-stopping confrontation between two of Africa’s giants: a protective mother hippo and an irate elephant bull.
It is known that this scene of a “crazy” male elephant attacking a hippo was accidentally recorded by photographer Rian Van Schalkwyk – 40 years old while visiting the Erindi Private Game wildlife reserve in Windhoek, Namibia.
Van Schalkwyk, 40, renowned for his expertise behind the lens, recounted the harrowing scene that played out before him. “I felt incredibly privileged to see this. I’ve been in the bush a long time, but this was the most spectacular scene I’ve ever witnessed, I couldn’t believe it,” he shared, still in disbelief at the encounter.
According to Van Schalkwyk, due to the mating season, this male elephant was unable to control his mind. Therefore, the “giant” easily gets “crazy” and is ready to attack everything that it sees as irritating him.
It was a family affair for Van Schalkwyk, spending a tranquil weekend with loved ones at the reserve. Little did they anticipate the drama that was about to unfold.
As the midday heat enveloped the landscape, guests retired to their lodgings, leaving the watering hole quiet and undisturbed. From the vantage point of a restaurant viewing deck, Van Schalkwyk and his companions watched as nature’s story unfolded before their eyes.
That’s why this “unlucky” mother hippo was attacked quite fiercely by the male elephant. The elephant’s powerful blow even caused it to flip upside down.
The serenity shattered when a towering elephant bull charged into view, disrupting the grazing hippos. What began as a peaceful coexistence quickly escalated into a showdown of epic proportions.
It is known that after being hit by the elephant’s powerful blow, this hippo suffered some injuries to its body. However, that does not affect its life.
The mother hippo, steadfast in her resolve to protect her calf, stood her ground as the elephant’s agitation grew palpable. With a swift and forceful motion, the elephant’s trunk sent the mother hippo airborne, her body twisting in the air before crashing back to the earth below.
In the face of danger, the mother’s instinct to shield her offspring shone through. Despite sustaining minor injuries—a testament to the sheer force of the encounter—her determination remained unyielding.
Van Schalkwyk vividly recounted the moments of tension and release as the scene unfolded. “It was incredible. It happened so quickly, elephants are incredibly fast over short distances,” he recalled, still processing the intensity of the encounter.
The aftermath was a mix of emotions as the mother and calf sought refuge amidst their herd, met not with solace but rather with hostility. Forced to stand apart, they bore the weight of their ordeal in solitude.
For the grumpy elephant, the drama didn’t end there. A series of mock charges and territorial displays followed, leaving the waterhole momentarily disrupted before tranquility settled once more.
Reflecting on the experience, Van Schalkwyk spoke of the profound impact it left on him and his companions. “For me, it was the experience of a lifetime,” he mused. “I felt privileged to see animal behavior like that, but I also felt for the mother. All of us just stood there for a while afterwards not talking, just taking in the scene.”
In the vast expanse of Namibia’s wilderness, where the circle of life plays out in its rawest form, the story of the mother hippo and her valiant stand serves as a poignant reminder of nature’s boundless courage and resilience. In the face of adversity, maternal love knows no bounds.