Hippos investigate dead kudu
&Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge
Location
Guide
Recorded by
Damen Pheiffer
Date
Summer 2023
The weird and the wonderful
SAFARI SCRIBBLES:
This kudu carcass was discovered at the edge of a large lagoon. A few crocodiles lurked nearby but none except for one small but particularly brave one would venture near – on account of the hippos that had gathered. The hippos sniffed and even licked the carcass and judging by the amount of fur missing from the kudu, they had been doing so for the whole night. Hippos have been regularly recorded investigating and “tasting” carcasses in their waterways believed to be a means of “testing” unfamiliar situations and sometimes even accessing salts. They are also well known for trying to “rescue” animals in distress in the water. Bizarre and intriguing behaviour.
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