2-year-old boy swallowed by hippo, man stones animal to save boy's life, police say
A two-year-old boy who was partially swallowed alive by a hippopotamus is recovering after a man stoned the animal to set the boy free, police in Africa said.
According to the Uganda Police Force, the attack took place Dec. 4 in Western Uganda about half a mile from Lake Edward in the Kasese District.
The boy, identified by police as Paul Iga, was playing near his home when he was grabbed by the amphibious animal, which then swallowed half the child's body, police said in a news release.
Police said a bystander watched the attack take place and threw stones at the hippo in an attempt to stop the attack.
“It took the bravery of one Chrispas Bagonza, who was nearby, to save the victim after he stoned the hippo and scared it, causing it to release the victim from its mouth,” police said.
The boy was taken to hospital for treatment, police said, where he was vaccinated for rabies as a precaution, and released back to his parents.
Police said this was the first incident where a hippo strayed out of the Lake Edward and attacked a young child.
"Although the hippo was scared back into the lake, all residents near animal sanctuaries and habitats, should know that wild animals are very dangerous," police continued in the release. "Instinctually, wild animals see humans as a threat and any interaction can cause them to act strangely or aggressively."
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A formidable threat
Hippos are the third-largest living land mammal, Live Science says, growing to over 10 feet long and five feet tall while weighing between 3,000 and nearly 10,000 pounds. The National Library of Medicine explains hippos are aggressive and dangerous and, when paired with their size and hunger, this makes them a formidable threat to other animals.
Hippos are powerful animals whose canine teeth, used for fighting off predators or other hippos, can reach 20 inches in length. With their African wildlife predators, these defensive traits are often necessary.
What is bigger than a hippo? Largest whale, land animal on earth broken down.
Do hippos eat meat? Are they herbivores or carnivores? Here's everything you need to know.
Hippos eat a variety of things including grass and are mostly herbivorous.
A 2015 study by the Mammal Review shows hippos “occasionally” feed on animal carcasses, a more omnivorous behavior.
Contributing: Liam Gravvat, USA TODAY
Natalie Neysa Alund covers trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hippo swallows 2-year-old boy alive in Uganda, Africa
