A South African guide has recounted the most terrifying sixty seconds of his life after being snatched and held captive inside a hippo's mouth during a brutal attack on the Zambezi River.
Paul Templer, who was working as a tour guide in Zimbabwe, experienced a nightmare scenario when a colossal bull hippopotamus erupted from the water and clamped its powerful jaws around his body. The attack was so sudden and violent that he was completely engulfed by the animal.
A Minute of Sheer Terror
"I was in the hippo's mouth," Templer stated. "It was like being in a dark, crushing cave." For what felt like an eternity, but was in reality about a minute, he was trapped within the beast's grip, fully aware that one bite from the hippo's immense teeth could end his life instantly.
Hippos, despite their docile appearance, are notoriously aggressive and are considered one of the most dangerous animals in Africa, responsible for an estimated 500 human deaths per year.
A Miraculous Escape Against All Odds
In an almost unbelievable turn of events, the hippo suddenly released him. Severely injured and bleeding profusely, Templer was pulled from the water by his courageous team. His survival is nothing short of miraculous, a testament to both quick-thinking colleagues and sheer luck.
The harrowing ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the raw power and unpredictable nature of wildlife, even for the most experienced guides and adventurers.
