South African Showdown: Elephants Assert Their Dominance Over Hippos At The Watering Hole

In an enthralling exhibition of nature’s might, a group of elephants fearlessly confronted a gathering of hippos to secure the top position at a watering hole in South Africa.

The remarkable encounter between these majestic creatures unfolded before the camera lens on August 9th in the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve.

At that moment, a group of elephants charged a gathering of hippos to lay claim to the premier spot at the watering hole. Renowned wildlife photographer Corlette Wessels, 47, was nearby as a sizable elephant female expressed displeasure at the nearby presence of the hippos.

The elephant’s initial annoyance quickly escalated into a powerful charge, causing the startled hippo to promptly retreat.

The elephant’s irritable mood rapidly transformed into a charge, and the hippo was compelled to turn and flee. Upon witnessing a fellow member of their herd in distress, the entire group of elephants, weighing several tons, joined the pursuit, causing the hippos to flee for safety.

During the chase, the female elephant and several members of the herd caught up to the hippos, utilizing their enormous trunks to make contact.

Fortunately, a moment of calmness returned as the hippos moved to a muddier section of the watering hole.

She stated, ‘I am not an expert in animal behavior, but I believe this elephant female was annoyed by the presence of the two hippos near her while she was drinking.‘ Corlette, residing on the Crocodile Nature Reserve north of Johannesburg, expressed astonishment at the spectacle, noting that this was her first experience of such behavior.

She shared, “I am not knowledgeable about animal behavior, but it seemed like the elephant female took offense to the closeness of the hippos while she was drinking.”

The pursued hippo during the incident was recognized by its deformed teeth and affectionately referred to as ‘Harry.’

Upon witnessing one of their herd members in distress, several tons of elephant herd joined the chase, resulting in the hippos racing for safety. Initially, the actions of the elephant female seemed like a mock charge, which quickly transformed into an energetic pursuit that drove ‘Harry’ through the water, enduring blows from the elephant’s trunk and forceful shoves.

As the chase continued, the other hippo sought shelter in the bushes while the remaining elephant herd surged towards the hippos.

Amidst the frenzy, Corlette feared for the safety of the hippos, as the elephants displayed aggression throughout the pursuit.

Both the female elephant and some of the members of the herd managed to catch up to the hippos, striking them with their massive trunks. Although the details were obscured once the chase moved into the dense bushes, ‘Harry’ eventually returned to the waterhole, followed by the persistent elephant female.

The situation eased as ‘Harry’ discovered comfort in the dirty landscape.

Afterwards, the second hippo reappeared, carrying minor stains of blood on its side but otherwise uninjured.

Corlette emphasized the deep admiration both elephants and hippos receive due to their swift and strong movements.

But fortunately, a peaceful atmosphere among the elephants settled once the hippos relocated to a muddier part of the watering hole. She emphasized the important reminder that even in controlled settings, untamed animals require respect.

The nature enthusiast captured this exceptional moment using a Nikon D750 camera with a Nikkor 70-200 lens.

With a deeply-rooted enthusiasm for capturing wildlife through photography since her late 20s, Corlette often immerses herself in the natural world, establishing cherished connections with these awe-inspiring creatures.