Kevin wrote: "Yes I know Hippos; but they don't eat you, at least not much." A few years ago, CBC radio interviewed a fellow who, with his girlfriend, paddled down the Zambesi River in a canoe. At one point in the trip, their canoe was bitten in half by a hippo! They lost a bunch of food and gear, but the trip proceded, as he had had the foresight to bring along enough fiberglass and resin to repair the boat. I can't remember if it was on "As it Happens" or Vicky Gabereau. Rob. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>"Yes I know Hippos; but they don't eat you, at least not much." --- >A few years ago, CBC radio interviewed a fellow who, with his girlfriend, paddled down the Zambesi River in a canoe. At one point in the trip, their canoe was bitten in half by a hippo! The very most incidents with Hippos occur by misunderstanding the natural behave of Hippos. First, Hippos are vegetarians! They don4t like or even could eat humans or their boats. Hippos, especially the bulls, got a distinct territorial behave. Boats going through their territtory are seen as an enemy, not as guests nor food. People paddling Hippo rivers should take care to avoid a nearer approach to Hippos and avoid their "potentially best places". Stay as far away as possible and sometimes it might be better to wait or portage the boat. Watch the water surface intensivly! Other big problems are, Hippos are night acvtive animals, don4t camp near their walkways. And by daylight, one often can4t see them because they stay under water, behave like Crocos. In some way, Hiippos are the river equivalent to Elephants or Rhinos. Nothing for: "Oh how nice, lets take a photo with them", thats provoces all the often bloody accidents with wildlife animals we could read in the yellow press. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Jochen wrote: "And by daylight, one often can4t see them because they stay under water, behave like Crocos" That is exactly what happened to these people. They were being careful as possible, but this big bull suddenly rose up and bit their boat in half. No, he wasn't trying to eat them, but the effect wasn't much different. And after all, most animal attacks, including bear attacks, are more territorial/defensively motivated rather than hunting activity. Around here, in the middle of prime grizzly country, we are more likely and just as afraid of stumbling across a moose having a bad day as a bear. Rob. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Robert MacDonald wrote: > And after all, most animal attacks, including bear attacks, are more territorial/defensively motivated rather than hunting activity. Around here, in the middle of prime grizzly country, we are more likely and just as afraid of stumbling across a moose having a bad day as a bear. I used to know an old Warden who had grown up in the woods. Tourists often asked if he had ever been treed by a bear. His response: "Nope! But I've been treed by a moose. Twice!" GaryJ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Bear, moose, hippo or croc they can obey their natural territorial, carnivore instincts as their genes please them. I will avoid them, or turn them into dinner when my life or my companions are in danger. Sorry folks, me and my friends first. That goes for the men in grey suits too. But waste not want not; BBQ anyone? KMN *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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