Did this really happen? The photos look real enough and the video tells a story that seems too unbelievable to be real.
A hippo appears to have rescued an antelope just as a crocodile is dragging it into the water.
Just as it appears to be all over for the gnu, these hippos came charging in…
Then what seems most remarkable is one hippo nudges the gnu back on to the shore and looks like he’s smiling.
Israeli photographer, Vadim Onishchenko, 34, captured the entire scene and told the story to the Daily Mail.
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.
In its panic the gnu ends up swimming further back into the water, with the crocodile holding on tightly, it is now the hippo begins to intervene.
The gnu struggling to get to the bank of the river is dragged back by the crocodile, a hippo is also seen strafing both animals
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.
One of the biggest hippos protects the gnu as it makes its way back to the shoreline, guarding it from any further attacks
And for those wondering, the hippos did not save the gnu to eat it themselves later. Hippos are herbivores.
Photo credit: Cater News Agency