A two-year-old boy survived being swallowed by a hippopotamus in Uganda.
Iga Paul was playing near his home less than a kilometer from the edge of Lake Edward in Kasese district in south-west Uganda when he was attacked.
The hippo grabbed the toddler by the head and swallowed half of his body.
A local man, Chrispas Bagonza, noticed and started throwing rocks at the animal to try and stop it.
The hippo spat the child out in apparent fear before returning to the water.
Police praised Mr. Bagonza for saving the boy’s life.
“It took the bravery of a certain Chrispas Bagonza, who happened to be nearby, to save the victim after he stoned the hippopotamus and spooked it, forcing it to free the victim from its mouth,” Katwe Territorial Police said.
The boy was taken to hospital for treatment for hand injuries after the December 4 incident, but made a full recovery and was sent home to Rwenjubu cell.
He received a rabies vaccine.
Police said it was the first time a hippo had strayed from the lake and attacked a young child.
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They reminded people to be careful.
“Although the hippo was scared into the lake, all residents near animal sanctuaries and habitats should be aware that wild animals are very dangerous,” the force said.
“Wild animals instinctively see humans as a threat and any interaction can cause them to act strangely or aggressively.”
An estimated 500 people across Africa are killed by hippos each year, making them the deadliest mammal in the world.
