VIDEO: Courageous Baby Hippo Risks Life to Chase Away a Lion Which Was Eyeing the Calf’s Sick Mother

05 Jul, 2016 by Cassy Fiano

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Don’t mess with this baby’s mama! In an adorable video, a baby hippo risks his life to protect his mother when a lion came sniffing around.

From the Daily Mail:

This is the moment a baby hippo risked its life to chase away a lion which was eyeing up the calf’s sick mother for dinner.

Footage shows the young animal standing guard over its malnourished mother as a male lion approached in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

But rather than fleeing from the scene, the hippo charged at the predator – forcing it to backtrack towards the Sabie River.

The video shows the frightened big cat retreating – before plucking up its courage and going after the baby.

At one point it sinks its claws into the calf’s back – only to be shrugged off as the hippo charges back towards its mother.

The dramatic video was captured by private safari director Jennie Bekker.

She said the hippos were severely malnourished due to the drought sweeping the area, making them easy prey for the lion.

Or at least, the lion thought they were easy prey. This brave little baby wasn’t about to sit back and let them become dinner!