Scaredy cats! Huge hippo charges at pride of thirsty lions sending them fleeing for their lives
- Giant rushes pride of lions sending them running from shared watering hole
- The mammal faced up to its natural predator to reclaim lost territory
- Photos were taken in Chobe National Park in Botswana
This is the incredible moment a giant hippo terrified three thirsty lions by charging at them to regain its territory.
A brave Botswanan hippopotamus faced up to its natural predators as they tried to lay claim to the mammal's drinking spot.
The male lions made the mistake of stopping at the same watering hole as this very territorial hippo in Chobe National Park in Botswana.
Making a splash: Giant hippo chases off three thirsty lions who came a bit too close to the mammal's favourite bathing spot
The giant hippo, who grow up to 1.5 tonnes, can be seen emerging stealthily from a lake in the African national park to approach his enemy.
A group of lions are lying down across the small stretch of water, cooling off from the hot African sun.
Their eyes shift to the water, spotting the semi-aquatic mammal's poor attempt to approach the pride with any sort of stealth.
Lioning about: The pride of lions make good use of the tranquil watering hole as one of the group sits down to take a sip
A hippo emerges from the muddy waters to face down the lions. The Chobe national park is known for its large population of lions that regularly attack elephants across the reserve
The lions are a major predator to the weighty hippo, and so are not immediately worried by its presence and choose to stand and stare.
Seen from behind, the hippo the quickly rushes to towards the shore where the lions stand observing, totally unfazed by the big cats.
The trio quickly scarper off the shore banks after realising it might be a mistake to stand in the way of a hippo moving at full speed.
Victorious, the hippo then stands alone on the sandy edge of the water to carry on bathing in peace.
The natural enemies stare each other down across the water as the hippopotamus readies its charge at the group. Lions are dominant predators and have been known to kill hippos
Run don't roar! The pride scrambles out of the way, realising it might be a bad idea to be in the path of a charging hippo coming ashore
The brazen hippopotamus, snapped from behind, emerges from the water as the three lions are seen darting off the shoreline into the bushes behind
Peace at last: The hippo plods along by the water's edge after successfully running out rivals off the sandy shores of the drinking spot
The photos were taken by Jan Hrbacek in Chobe National Park, a game reserve in the north of Botswana.
'The lions come to drink at a small waterhole when the hippo was watching them. Suddenly the hippo rushed out from the water and chased the lions out,' said Jan.
'Hippos are extremely territorial, they don't tolerate other animals in their territory.
'The lions were scared of the hippo. Hippos are powerful animals. They could kill or injure them.'
Hippos are classed are endangered animals on the African continent, with continuing population decline due to widespread habitat loss.
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