When a hippopotamus opens its mouth, it's a signal to leave as fast as possible.
Paul Temple was living a good life at the time. He was 28 years old and working as a guide for photography safari tours in his native Zimbabwe. He left for several years, including service in the British Army. But he returned to the jungles of Africa and "fell in love with it again." Wildlife, vegetation, nature, outdoors, space - it all made me feel at home. Temple said Zimbabwe's tour guide certification program is very strict and guides who pass the exam are proud of it. He enjoys showing visitors the area's magnificent wildlife, including water-loving, very territorial hippos. He told CNN Travel: "It was idyllic life. Life was really good – until one day, I had a really bad time in the office. ”
It's a good day to hike in the river.
Paul Templer's entire life trajectory changed when he agreed at the last minute to lead a group of tourists along the Zambezi River.
Saturday, 9 March 1996. Temple learns that his friend is unable to lead a canoeing trip to the Zambezi River because of malaria, so he agrees to replace his friend. "I love that part of the river, it's a place where I treasure it." The expedition consisted of six visitors (four Air France crew members and a couple from Germany), three apprenticeship guides and Templer. They have three canoes - guests sit in the first two seats and a guide behind them. Then, a trainee guide rides a single safety kayak. They then embarked on their famous Zambezi River tour. "Everything went as expected. Everyone had a wonderful time. ”
There may be troublesome prospects.
Zimbabwe's Zambezi National Park offers many wildlife viewing opportunities, including one of Africa's most fascinating animals: hippos.
Later, they met a herd of about a dozen hippos. This is not surprising on the Zambezi River, the fourth longest river in Africa. They did not panic at first, as they kept a safe distance from the hippopotamus. "We were getting closer and closer, and I tried to take evasive action. ...... The idea is to safely paddle around hippos. Templer's canoe took the lead, followed by two other canoes and kayaks. He drove into a small passage to wait for the others. But a third canoe fell behind the team and veered off the planned route, and Temple wasn't sure how that happened. Suddenly, there was a loud crash and I saw the back of the canoe bounce up.
Paul Temple said: "Then, there was a loud bang and I saw the back of the canoe bounced up. Evans, the guide sitting in the back of the canoe, was ejected from the canoe. "The guests managed to stay on the canoe.
"Evans fell into the water and the current washed him towards a female hippopotamus and her calf, 150 meters (490 feet) away... So I knew I had to get him out quickly, and I didn't have time to drop the guests down. He shouted at Ben, another tour guide, to rescue the guests on the canoe that had been attacked. Ben had the guests climb a rock in the river that hippos could not climb.
An attempt was made to rescue him.
Meanwhile, Temple turns his canoe around and tries to save Evans. The plan was to pull him to the edge of Templer's canoe and pull him up.
"I rowed closer to him... Getting closer, I saw a bow wave coming towards me. If you've ever seen those old movie scenes where torpedoes approach the ship, it's kind of like that. I knew it was either a hippopotamus or a very large crocodile coming at me. He said.
"But I also know that if I slap the paddle blade on the water... Very loud. The sound of underwater impact seems to keep animals away. He said. So I slapped the surface of the water, and as it was supposed to do, the torpedo wave stopped. ”
He gets closer and closer to Evans, but they are also getting closer and closer to the female hippopotamus and calf.
"I leaned over — it's kind of tailored for a Hollywood movie — and Evans held out his hand. ...... Our fingers almost touched. Then the water between us suddenly burst out. Everything happened so fast that I saw nothing. "What happened next was nightmarish and surreal." My world became dark and strangely quiet. "Templer said it would take a few seconds to figure out what was going on." From the waist down, I could feel the water. I could feel that I was wet in the river. From the waist up, the situation is different. I'm warm, not as wet as the river, but not dry either. I was under tremendous pressure on my lower back. I tried to move, but couldn't move. "I realized I was swallowed by a hippopotamus."
Hippos: Huge, territorial, and dangerous.
Hippos are adapted both in the water and on land. This hippopotamus is in Chobe National Park in the famous Okavango Delta in northern Botswana.
An adult hippopotamus can stuff most of an adult's body into its mouth, and for good reason. According to National Geographic, hippos can grow up to 16.5 feet (5 meters) long, 5.2 feet (1.6 meters) tall and weigh up to 4.5 tons (4 metric tons).
They have huge mouths and can open their powerful jaws to 150 degrees.
Their teeth are probably the scariest. Their molars are used to eat plants, but their sharp canine teeth, which may be up to 20 inches (51 cm) long, are used for self-defense and combat.
Their bite force is almost three times that of lions. A bite from a hippopotamus can cut a person's body in half.
They are naturally found in various parts of sub-Saharan Africa, especially East and South Africa, living in or near rivers and other water sources. (They also became invasive species in Colombia thanks to the escape of the zoo of the drug lord Pablo Escobar). Hippos are very territorial and may attack any animal that invades their territory, including hyenas, lions, and crocodiles.
Hippos and humans
They also kill, that's what we're sure of. Many internet sources say about 500 people die each year from hippo attacks, but the exact number remains uncertain as some attacks and deaths occur in very remote areas and go unreported. "When people find out that I study hippos, the most common question I get asked is: 'Do hippos kill more people than other animals?' Rebecca Luisen, a conservation ecologist and associate professor at San Diego State University, told CNN Travel in an emailed interview. I'm not sure where this statement comes from, but... There is no authoritative or reliable data. People were surprised by the hippopotamus killing. They seem slow, and they spend most of their time in the water. There are some non-fatal interactions, but people (or hippos) tend to suffer hard as a result.
Philip Murussi, chief scientist and vice president of species conservation and science at the African Wildlife Fund, said the foundation also does not have reliable data sources to count attacks or deaths. While more statistics need to be collected, one study found that the probability of death from a hippopotamus attack ranged from 29% to 87%, higher than that of bears (4.8%), sharks (22.7%) and crocodiles (25%).
"He spat out me."
At that time, Tapler's chances of survival were very low.
"I guess I was stuck deep in its throat and must have been uncomfortable because it threw me out. So I struggled to surface, took a breath of fresh air, and came to Evans, the guide I was trying to save. I said, 'We have to get out of here!' Tapler recalled. So, once again I was stuck in the throat of the hippopotamus, but this time my leg was jammed, but the hand was free.
However, Evans is in grave danger. Typpler began to swim backwards, trying to save him, "and as I was about to take the classic lifeguard control maneuver, suddenly a blow came from below. So, once again I was stuck in the throat of the hippopotamus, but this time my leg was jammed, but the hand was free.
"He tried to get the gun, but was tossed too much to grab it. The hippopotamus turned out to be an old, aggressive male hippopotamus who spat Typpler out a second time.
"This time I looked around when I surfaced and couldn't see Evans." Templer thinks Evans has been saved, so he tries to escape. "I made pretty good progress, swimming and swimming as I swam, I looked up and swam freestyle and looked under my arms – until the day I died – this hippopotamus rushed towards me with its mouth wide open, ready to attack me directly." This time, Templer lay horizontally in the hippopotamus' mouth, legs hanging on one side of the mouth, shoulders and head hanging on the other.
All-round rage
Two hippos fight each other in South Africa. Male hippos may clash over leading their group, mating privileges, or territory.
"And then it went crazy... When hippos are fighting, the way they fight is trying to tear apart and destroy whatever they're attacking," Tapler said.
"Luckily for me, everything happens slowly. So when it goes into the water, I hold my breath. When we were on the water, I would take a deep breath and try to grab the fangs that were piercing me to prevent myself from being torn apart. One of the guests who watched the horror later described it as "a vicious dog trying to tear a rag doll," Typpler said. He believes that the entire attack lasted about three and a half minutes. Meanwhile, Mike, the apprentice guide of the safety kayak, was so brave that he risked his life to save me, and he pulled his kayak a few inches away from me. Tipler successfully grabbed the handle of the kayak, "Mike dragged me onto this relatively safe rock. "However, the expedition remained in a state of extreme chaos.
The reason for the attack and who was targeted is unknown.
These hippos patrol at night in Zimbabwe's artificially constructed Lake Kariba. When the sun goes down and it gets dark, people need to be extra careful in hippo territory
Lewison said people living near hippopotamus territory were more likely to be victims of attacks than tourists. "Most of the attacks take place in the water, but because hippos will snatch crops on farms, they also attack people trying to protect them," she said. Some tourists, but mainly local residents, were attacked. Africa's booming population growth has made the situation worse, increasing the chances of deadly interactions, she said.
Despite the bad times, sub-Saharan Africa still depends on hippos. "Hippos are important ecological engineers in the freshwater areas where they live. This is achieved by recovering nutrients from manure, which consumes a lot of plants," Murusi said. "Hippos attack not to eat people, but to get people to leave them," Lewison said. "I don't think hippos are particularly aggressive, but I think when they're under pressure, they attack."
Trapped on the rocks of the Zambez River
Typpler asked where McEvans was. Mike said, "He's gone, man, he's gone." Templer knew he needed to come up with a plan to get them up from that rock to the riverbank, but "first I needed to calm myself down." "He assessed the situation: a person was missing. First aid kits, radios and guns were gone. Six scared guests, two canoes and an oar. And his own body was shattered. "My left foot is particularly bad; It looks as if someone is trying to punch a hole with a hammer through it. "He couldn't move his arm. One arm from the elbow down was "crushed into mud". Blood came out of his mouth. They realized that his lung had been pierced. Mike turned Typpler over and could see a large hole in his back, plugging it with plastic wrap from a snack plate.
Typpler decided: no matter how big the risk was, they had to leave the rock. He was loaded into a canoe. Ben rowed the boat. The hippopotamus kept banging against the canoe. He went from fear to calm on the return journey. He described "a profound spiritual experience in which I felt an incredible sense of calm and realization that this was the moment I made my choice." Like am I leaving, or am I staying? Do I close my eyes and drift away, or do I try my best to stay? "It was so strong, I thought I was going to die, and when I wasn't dead, I kind of hoped I was going to die.
"I chose to stay, and when I made that choice, it caused more pain than I could ever imagine. It was so strong that I thought I was going to die, and when I wasn't, I kind of hoped I would die. Ben and Templer managed to get out of the river but didn't find Evans. His body was found three days later. They concluded that he drowned because he had no signs of animal aggression on him.
"Evans did nothing wrong. His death was purely a tragedy. "At the same time, some people on the shore realized something was wrong in the river. A well-trained Zimbabwean rescue team successfully picked up the others safely from the rocks.
"That's my bad day in the office."
The next difficulty, seek medical help
Tapler has left the river, but is still not out of danger. It took him eight hours to be taken to the nearest hospital. Over the course of a month, he underwent several major surgeries. He thought he would lose a leg and two arms. His surgeons didn't think he would survive.
But surgeons saved not only Tapler's life, but also his leg and an arm. However, the other arm is already unsalvageable. He realized this when he woke up in intensive care, he fumbled with his left hand, but it was gone. "I just remember feeling very frustrated. I have been active all my life and it is almost unbearable to me. ”
However, he was relieved to realize that his right hand and legs had been saved. Over the next month, he had "emotional ups and downs."
He received physical and occupational therapy in Zimbabwe and then more in the UK. He got a prosthesis, "and started trying to get back into life." ”
How to stay safe in areas where hippos live
This tourist boat observes hippos at the Isiman Galisso Wetland Park in South Africa. Larger ships can provide more protection in the event of a surprise attack.
Tipler, Murusi and Lewison all say safe outdoor activities start with education and avoid causing trouble in the first place. "Hippos have no interest in dealing with people. Stay away from them and they will leave you. They don't hunt humans," Lewison said. "Don't go near them," Murusi said. "They don't want to be disturbed ... They are not predators, and if they cause injury, it is usually an accident.
"Want to see and photograph these animals up close? Don't risk getting too close, but invest in good binoculars and telephoto camera lenses.
Follow the rules. If you are a tourist, please stay in your car if it says "please stay in your car". Philip Murusi's advice to avoid hippopotamus attacks is: do not walk along obvious hippopotamus paths, keep a distance from the team, and do not approach them from behind.
"Follow the rules. If you are a tourist, if it says 'please stay in your car', then please stay in the car. Even if you are in a car, do not drive the car directly in front of the animal. Murusi also suggested making some noise in an area known for its hippos. This helps them know you're nearby. "Hippos usually come out of the water at night and night to feed, so avoid hiking along the river at this time," Murusi said. Also be vigilant during the dry season when food is in short supply.
Warning signs
It is very important to follow the rules and stay in the car. In short distances, hippos can run past people, and even sprint champion Usain Bolt cannot escape.
It's important to know the hippopotamus' restlessness signals in case you get too close. Angry hippos will open their mouths and yawn as a show of aggression. Also notice head back, head shaking, grunting, and snorting. "These are all signals that you should have left long ago!" Muruthi said. If you attract unwanted attention, Muruthi recommends remembering that you can't escape a hippopotamus. They look bulky but can run up to 30 mph (nearly 43 km/h). Instead, you should try to climb a tree or find an obstacle, such as a rock or anthill, to place between you and the hippopotamus. Muruthi, Lewison and Templer all say never stay between a hippopotamus and a water. If it rushes towards you, run parallel to the water source. Like other protective mothers, never stay between a female hippopotamus and her cubs, Templer said.
He went deep into the mountains alone. A rattlesnake bit him.
What if you're on a small boat?
"Usually, if a hippopotamus is going to attack, you'll see it in advance. There will be a bow wave ... If you slap the water, 99 out of 99.9 times it makes the hippopotamus turn around," Templer said. "If you're hit by a hippopotamus on a canoe, staying away from the canoe is a safer option. The hippopotamus will attack this large shape in an attempt to drive it out of its territory. "It's also safer to watch hippos on larger boats because they're hard to capsize," Muruthi said.
Once the attack begins
Unlike attacks by other wild animals, humans have little defenses against large hippos once they attack.
"Once attacked, there's nothing you can do," Muruthi said. "Fight for your life and watch out for any chance of escape." He says you can try poking its eyes or anything that could cause unexpected pain. But given the size of the hippopotamus' head, even that is very difficult.
Hippos usually make holes, so there's little you can do if they catch you.
"Hippos usually make holes, so there's little you can do if they catch you," Lewison said.
Based on his experience with the attack, Templer said try not to panic when dragged into the water. "Remember to inhale if you're on the water."
In the National Geographic video, another survivor of a hippopotamus attack was also able to save his breath. She also grabbed the hippopotamus by the nose, which one expert speculated might have scared the hippopotamus into letting her go.
"Your choices determine your life"
Paul Templer lost his left arm in a hippopotamus attack in 1996, and two years later he used a specially built paddle to paddle a record-setting kayak
Two years after that attack, Templer said he and a team completed the longest descent of the Zambezi River to date. That took three months and covered a distance of 1,600 miles (2,575 kilometers).
"Ascending" here refers to walking or rowing along the watershed of the Zambezi River, often including crossing rapids and other challenging waters.
How did Templer find the ability to regain his life?
After a particularly difficult day trying to move in a wheelchair, he said his surgeon told him: "You are the sum of your choices." You become the person, thing, and location you choose in your life. ”
Templer says he's focused on what's possible rather than what is lost. "If you look for possibility, it's usually there."
Templer later moved to the United States; married to the sister of a journalist on Zambezi's record-breaking trip; wrote the book "What I Have Left"; And become a speaker.
Are safari tours desirable?
After hearing such a thrilling story as Templer, should people be afraid to even go on safari tours, especially in areas with hippos?
Muruthi said to go, but go smart. Be sure to get advice from professional guides and then follow their guidance, says Muruthi: "In Kenya, for example, contact the Kenya Association of Professional Safari Guides." ”
Templer said his attack was an "anomaly" and he didn't want anyone to be stopped by his 1996 trip to the river.
"My biggest advice is: absolutely do it. But work with those who know about wildlife. But anyway, get out... Experience it. ”