Astonishing moment a hippo chases tourists through the water and keeps up with their speeding boat

By PERKIN AMALARAJ, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 11:49, 11 August 2026 | Updated: 11:51, 11 August 2026 Astonishing footage has shown how a hippo chased a group of tourists on a speedboat through water.  Footage captured by Oznur Bell in northern Botswana showed the huge animal surging through water as a tour guide desperately tried to put distance between the speedboat and the animal.  The hippo was seen jumping in and out of the water several times as it chased the water-borne vehicle. The boat's operator was seen smiling nervously.  Bell, who took the video on Sunday, was travelling between camps with her three children and a close friend when the animal charged at them.  She told NBC News: 'It was one of the most terrifying moments I’ve ever experienced. 'Once he started charging after us, the adrenaline was unbelievable.' She said one of the guides, who was operating the vehicle, spotted the hippo and slowed the boat down so as not to disturb it.  Oznur said she already had her phone out to take a photo of a nearby elephant when the hippo gave chase: 'I happened to have my phone in my hand because I was filming [the elephant]. The hippo was seen jumping in and out of the water several times as it chased the water-borne vehicle Footage captured in northern Botswana showed the huge animal surging through water 'By pure luck, I never put my phone away, which is the only reason I was able to capture what happened next on camera.'  She added: 'For a few moments, every single person in the boat was genuinely worried. 'You can actually see the smiles on the guides’ faces, not because it was funny, but because it was a smile of pure relief.' Hippos are one of the biggest land animals in the world, only coming in behind elephants and white rhinos.  They can weigh as much as 8,000lbs. Despite their enormous mass, they are capable of accelerating in water and on land, reportedly being able to reach speeds of up to 19mph.  Though they are herbivores, they are known to be aggressive to humans. It is estimated that 500 people are killed by hippos every year.  But human encroachment has become one of the biggest threats to hippo populations.  Habitat loss, as well as the illegal trade that has formed as a result of illegal hunting, has pushed them into a vulnerable status - just one above endangered.  There are believed to be just 130,000 left across the world.  Last month, a Scottish zoo welcomed its answer to internet sensation Moo Deng after announcing the birth of a pygmy hippo calf. The tiny youngster was born to parents Otto and Gloria on Friday, July 31, just days after it was announced that Gloria was pregnant. Keepers and vets had expected the calf to arrive some weeks later and were surprised to find the newborn snuggled up to its mother.   The calf is now being cared for by Gloria, with the pair spending their first days feeding, resting and bonding away from the public eye.      Jonny Appleyard, hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said: 'It has been a really exciting few days for the team and we are all delighted to see Gloria and her calf doing so well.  'Our main aim right now is to give them some private time until they show signs they are ready to meet the world.'