Monday

Humans in their arrogance have always believed that only mankind can rise above programmed behavior and act in an altruistic manner. The 30 year old belief that animals cannot do this was referred to as the "Selfish Gene" theory.

This theory was that animals will only look after themselves or those that are genetically related to them. It was a way to separate the animal kingdom from all of mankind. But as we see more and more stories about animals helping other animals or even humans in time of need, this theory begins to lack much credibility.

In the video below you will see an amazing act take place when a crocodile attacks and pulls an impala into the water to kill and eat it. A hippo then comes to the aid of the little impala and after it is released from the mouth of the crocodile, the hippo then nurses it for an hour before it dies of it's injuries.

The hippo even gently takes the impala's head into it's mouth to comfort it as it would it's young. This behavior is the hippo's form of a cuddle. Is this not an example that animals can also experience empathy of another living being's suffering?


Responses to "Hippo Tries to Save an Impala From a Crocodile"

  1. Anonymous says:

    This is just amazing. There are many things we do not know about the animal kingdom. Obviously, we just learned something new about them.

  2. I am totally amazed by this video...yes we all have lessons to learn from God's creatures...I had only heard how violent Hippos could be. Thank you for sharing! Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

  3. lou. says:

    oh my God, this is something.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Its amazing how animals can open their hearts to others yet man is determined to kill everything it comes across.

  5. Unknown says:

    very cool to bad he didnt make it

  6. Anonymous says:

    Absolutely amazing. At least the impala's last moments were spent knowing compassion, care and love and not brutality.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Oh my gosh, what's the chances of ever seeing this happen. What a kind heart this hippo has, I just wish the poor little Impala would have pulled through. Thank you hippo for trying to save a life!

  8. It probably lost it's own young-maybe to a croc.

  9. That is amazing and very touching!

  10. Anonymous says:

    I am confused tho..the hippo takes the animals whole head in its mouth several times..

  11. Anonymous says:

    Ok, so I read it all now I understand..it is something to see tho.

  12. pfkisa says:

    the whole thinking by our scientific community that "anthropomorphism" is scientifically inaccurate, and that animals do not have feelings or compassion, is becoming rather outdated now (thankfully). So far this thinking has only led us to believe that they can be treated as non-feeling objects that can be abused in laboratories and at home. thankfully, the overwhelming evidence of this being complete bogus coming to light, hopefully will give humanity second thoughts about how we relate to them. Probably not in the near future, but if we happen to stay around for some additional decades (without doing ourselves in before then), we may see a change in attitude. Are you listening, condoned and approved animal testing scientists? And agricultural meat and dairy producers?

  13. Anonymous says:

    Well these kind acts from our wild life is dispelling the old myths isn't it that animals of all sorts will care when we least expect it. So to all humans beings out there who think its ok to hurt gods creatures think again it is not we should try more to be like a four legged friends cause its from them we would learn the most on how to treat each other properly. But most of us know this wont happen not on earth any way.

  14. Anonymous says:

    WHAT A MOVING PIECE, YES THE HIPPO GAVE PASSION TO THE LITTLE DEER SUCH A PITY IT DIDNT SURVIVE, BUT HE WAS NOT ALONE AT THE END WITH ITS PAIN!!!!

  15. Anonymous says:

    That was one of the most precious act of kindness in Gods creatures that I have ever watched. There's too much hate in this world. It's bad when animals show more compassion at times, than humans do.

  16. Morgana says:

    Our Father on Nature.

  17. Anonymous says:

    We may never know what's in the hearts and minds of animals, but this video introduces a small peek into their compassion that we may never have seen before and likely won't see very often. It was amazing.

  18. Unknown says:

    wonderful truly wonderful

  19. Anonymous says:

    sometimes I think that animals have far more compassion than humans. then again with the world the way it is today we don't seem to have much compassion at all.

  20. Anonymous says:

    Us humans are becoming more compassionate - animals only reflect us - Period! animals are only predators because we are. We are changing, more and more, so they are as well more and more.

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