A dramatic encounter unfolded at Pilanesberg Nature Reserve in South Africa when a herd of elephants chased off a group of hippos to secure a prime spot at a watering hole.
The clash, which took place on Sunday, August 9, was captured by wildlife photographer Corlette Wessels, who witnessed the entire scene just a few yards away.
It all began when a large female elephant appeared agitated by the presence of nearby hippos. Her irritation soon escalated into a full charge, forcing one of the hippos, known as “Harry” due to his distinctively deformed teeth, to flee.
As Harry attempted to escape, other elephants in the herd joined the chase, turning the situation into a chaotic stampede.
The elephants managed to hit the hippos with their trunks as they raced through the water to escape.
Fortunately, the hippos could retreat to a muddier section of the watering hole, and the tension gradually subsided.
Corlette, a resident of Crocodile Nature Reserve, located just north of Johannesburg, shared that this was her first time witnessing such a fierce confrontation between elephants and hippos.
Reflecting on the event, she said, “I’m not an expert in animal behavior, but I believe the elephant cow was annoyed by the hippos being too close while she was drinking. The chase started as a mock charge but quickly became a full pursuit, with the elephant striking the hippo.”
The situation grew even more intense when the rest of the elephant herd joined in, rushing toward the hippos with aggression.
As they charged into the bushes, Corlette feared the elephants might kill the hippos. “It was all happening so fast,” she said. “The elephants were trumpeting loudly, and the scene was pure chaos.”
Eventually, Harry returned to the watering hole, pursued by the same elephant. He found safety in thick mud, where things began to calm down.
Another hippo, which had also been chased, later reappeared with minor injuries, but both hippos ultimately survived the ordeal.
Reflecting on the event, Corlette noted how dangerous and fast both elephants and hippos can be. “Seeing them run through the water and on land was a stark reminder of these animals’ power. It’s a lesson in respecting wildlife and understanding how quickly things can escalate.”
Corlette, a business development manager for a solar energy company, has been a passionate wildlife photographer since her late 20s.
She used a Nikon D750 with a Nikkor 70-200 lens to capture the intense moments during the clash.
The incident highlights the unpredictable and sometimes volatile dynamics between wildlife in their natural habitats, offering a rare glimpse into the raw power of nature.
Read more Elephant News.
