- Angry bull hippo seen attacking the only wildebeest left of its herd while crossing the Mara river
- More than 1.2million wildebeest cross the river every year as part of their annual migraiton pattern
- Each year, hundreds die on the banks of the river as they drown or are attacked by predators
A lone wildebeest who had braved the Mara River after its waters killed hundreds of members of its herd, saw the circle of life take yet another cruel turn when it was killed by an angry bull hippo.
Hundreds of wildebeest were seen lying dead on the banks of the river in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, during the first seasonal crossing.
Whilst one wildebeest managed to ride out the stampede to cross which had killed many of its herd, it was then attacked by an angry hippo in the water.
Risky move: Having survived a stampede of fellow wildebeest as its herd crossed the Mara River, this lone animal began to brave the water to make it to the other side
Too late: Within seconds, it came face to face with a huge, and less than pleased, bull hippo
Caught: The hippo can be seen attacking the wildebeest in the water, trying to push it under the surface
Despite surviving the stampede, the poor animal did not stand a chance against an an angry bull hippo in the water.
The wildebeest live on the Serengeti plains of southeastern Africa and migrate in an enormous loop crossing the borders of Kenya and Tanzania.
The mass movement of more than 1.2million animals is recognized as one of the ‘Wonders of the Natural World.’
And every year, hundreds die as the huge herds cross the Mara River. Some succumb to the currents, others are trampled in the melee as they cross or unable to make it up the steep river bank, while others are eaten by crocodiles.
Chase: The panic in the wildebeest’s eyes is evident as it tries to swim away from the hippo
Real-life hungry hippos: The wildebeest did not stand a chance against the powerful hippopotamus
It’s over: Despite trying its best to get away, the wildebeest did not survive the attacl
Wonder of nature: Every year, some 1.2million wildebeest cross the Mara river as part of their annual migration route over the plains of the Serengeti in Kenya and Tanzania