Despite their portrayal in popular culture, hippos are not gentle giants, as anyone who has observed enough wildlife interactions can attest. When disturbed, these gigantic monsters become ferocious and violent. However, it appears that they retain the ability to be deadly even when they are not angry. Any animal that accidentally enters their territory faces the risk of perish.

This happened to a kudu in Kruger National Park after it strayed into the water and wound up next to a hippo while dodging a troop of wild dogs. At first the hippo appeared to be protecting the kudu from its pursuers, but things quickly turned fatal.

This happened to a kudu in Kruger National Park after it strayed into the water and wound up next to a hippo while dodging a troop of wild dogs. At first the hippo appeared to be protecting the kudu from its pursuers, but things quickly turned fatal.

The hippo tried to scoop the kudu into its mouth in what seemed to be an attempt to drag the animal to safety, but maybe underestiᴍᴀᴛɪɴɢ its own strength, it ᴋɪʟʟed the kudu instead. The animal was ɢᴏʀᴇd by a hippo’s tooth, although it is uncertain if it drowned or ᴅɪᴇᴅ from its wounds. When the hippo eventually pulled it to the water’s edge, where the wild dogs were waiting, it was limp and lifeless.

The video’s videographer, Carolyn Wridgway, said it was fascinating to watch the hippo drag the kudu to the water’s edge and then attempt to get it back on its feet while defending it from the dog invasion, but it was awful to watch the hippo and dogs tug-of-war with the kudu.

Let’s watch the video: