I was mauled by a hippo | Life Stories

[@fabulousmag]

You can donate to their JustGiving page here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/RolandCherry

[@carlyq3488]

@@fabulousmag is this to donate to the hippo mauled couple you gotta be kidding me.....omfg!

[@glazedhippie182]

​@@carlyq3488 If you had bothered to watch the video and read the donation information before commenting, you would know that the crowdfunding is to purchase an ambulance for the local town hospital that currently doesn't have one. This could help the hospital to treat local people more efficiently in their time of need. You're welcome 🤗

[@antonellaachler9980]

Canoeing in the uk and France is very different to canoeing in Africa Glad he’s ok

[@heartstrummer]

This couple epitomise the best qualities of being British. Kudos to the teams who took care of them particularly the Dr’s and nurses in Zimbabwe, who, no doubt, saved his life.

[@theautuitiveishere]

Someone make the joke about how they epitomise being British cause they went to Africa thinking they could do whatever they want? 😂

[@Da_bear-ij9gm]

You mean, because they invaded an area they were unfamiliar with and then acted like that was the fault of the native wildlife?

[@HeatheryLeathery]

It is so impressive to hear both of you talk about such a recent and traumatic incident with such calmness and to hear that you are both still interested in travel. I'm a therapist and see how impactful trauma can be and how small it can make people's worlds so it is amazing to see you both talk about this so freely and be so measured about what has happened.

[@JodyLSumrall]

They are British!

[@dianathompson8794]

Some people aren't pathetic snowflakes. . How does it help to create drama and theatrics? This is how mature adults behave.

[@HeatheryLeathery]

@@JodyLSumrall Yes but so am I and the majority of my patients. I can assure you, we don't all have a stiff upper lip!

[@kynleechapman7472]

@@JodyLSumrallwhat’s that have to do with anything?

[@dianathompson8794]

@@HeatheryLeathery maybe it's time the stiff upper lip came back, instead of all the victimhood and pity plays that have become fashionable? Life is tough. Always has been and always will be, and the sooner people learn how to cope in a real way, the easier it will be for them to get through it.

[@Naominoz]

I did a similar trip down the Zambezi and we were well aware that there were hippos everywhere.Our guide was constantly on his binoculars checking for hippos and I still remember him shouting “Dig in , row to the right”. The guides know the river and know what signs to look out for, but it is impossible to know exactly where the hippos are. That is part of the adventure of the trip and definitely an adrenaline activity where you are aware of the danger. It still remains one of my best holidays. I am so sorry this happened to you and it would have been live changing and traumatic. Don’t blame the guides though, as there are no guarantees on such a trip (or most adventure trips). Even skiing down a mountain has dangers involved.

[@dianathompson8794]

Well said. There are no guarantees. I have also been in a canoe with hippos and crocs around. Not the Zambezi though, it was the Chobe River.

[@carlyq3488]

@@Naominoz Rediculous water with hippos......you get eaten......period.

[@Naominoz]

@ it was the most memorable and fun experience I ever had. You cannot live your life scared of everything. Then you should not get into a car. We negotiate risks everyday. Unfortunately sometimes it is out of our control and bad accidents happen

[@fistosravenscroft6651]

But why would anyone canoe in a river with crocs and hippos? I will never understand this need. I mean why? A big boat trip yes, but canoe? I feel like people get so bored they seek out problems

[@carlyq3488]

Amen!

[@JT0007]

In Florida they go in canoes where there are 🐊. So dumb, and a death wish. 🫡🇺🇸

[@shelbyregisterrn108]

@@JT0007I canoe in Florida all the time and yes with gators a few times but hippos are a totally different beast. Not even a comparison.

[@JT0007]

@ why would you put yourself close to alligators? 🤷‍♂️

[@shelbyregisterrn108]

@@JT0007 because it’s honestly not that dangerous. We’ve had 30 fatal attacks since 1948 and only 450 non-fatal attacks/bites in the same timeframe.

[@DanYah85]

@0:16 when he said he thought he was going to get "CHOMPED" I'm sorry, I can't 😭

[@kynleechapman7472]

lol that’s such a fair thought tho

[@theautuitiveishere]

I once read that more people are attacked by hippos than a ton of other animals you'd assume 😂 they seem all cute and dopey but they're savage!

[@acediamond7524]

Yes I thought the same thing when I heard about Hippos. They un-alive more people than any other animal on the planet globally every year.

[@keleeannkitson3528]

What a story to tell .. wow

[@littlemissliv100]

HOW ARE THEY SO CALM??! I would be so traumatized

[@ItsAllFakeAndGhey]

That’s called British denial 😂

[@traditionalgirl5585]

I was chomped by a hippo, darling, oh dear.

[@joribremer5260]

I think Animal attacks are different..

[@thisis.michelletorres444]

What a horror story! Glad he made it out!! I always picture the worst that could happen, and I think this is why I would never go on such a small boat with hippo in the water or any other excursion with the likelihood of crossing paths with dangerous animals.

[@fistosravenscroft6651]

Exactly! Why put yourself willingly in such situations?

[@ItsAllFakeAndGhey]

Congratulations, you gave sense 😂

[@tracyschmidt7929]

Thanks for giving back to the community

[@samuelbone5150]

What an Amazing Couple…

[@PeiPeisMom]

I can't imagine being in the position in life to say, "you know what, why don't we go to Africa and invade hippo territory?" Like, seriously, I'm just lucky to afford groceries. I find these people fascinating in the silliest way.

[@SMGyal]

My thoughts exactly… this is a horror story of privilege

[@wendycrawford1792]

@PeiPeisMom. I’m still working at 69 because my pension isn’t enough to live on. I could have done things differently though- gone to school and gotten a better education, not procrastinated so much over the years. These people may have inherited money. They may also have worked hard in life to find themselves in a position to be able to afford such a trip. You can’t always dis people who have money. My neighbour just got back from a safari in Africa. She’s worked hard over the years. Good on her. What seems like complacency where this couple is concerned, l believe is very much due to the fact that the man was never aware that a hippo knocked over their canoe, had him in her mouth, injured him and tossed him to shore! Things probably would have played out quite differently for him, and his wife if he remembered every terrifying detail and went on to have terrible nightmares!

[@paradigmshift1979]

hippos to the left of me, crocodiles to the right... here i am stuck in the middle with you

[@CarolAngel-ur6nc]

🤣🤣 good one

[@loiscassels8966]

I did a trip in a mokoro (flat based, hollowed out log type canoe) in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. The mokoro is poled through the fairly shallow water, filled with reeds and lily pads by a local guide. We were advised not to put our hands or feet into the water. We were warned about hippos and parasites in the water. We travelled for hours through the Delta before reaching a small island, where we tented for several nights. We heard grunting noises coming from the water during the night. Hippos kill more humans per year than any other animal. They can run up to 35 mph on land. It was all very exciting! I’m glad this man survived. ❤️🇨🇦

[@carolleckie9041]

"Oh no, this isn’t good" is quite an understatement!

[@BlackSheep_216]

Amazing story. Thank you both. I hope they get the ambulance.

[@krm4219]

Such a lovely couple.

[@evelynpagan8135]

Trust in common sense. Why would anyone put themselves in a dangerous position where an alligators and hippo infested waters surrounded you, territory they have the advantage of. You put trust in a guide who guided you into near death.

[@mimisikujui5514]

Even us afrikans don't go canoeing ..rich people problems

[@dianathompson8794]

Africa is Africa. People must realise that danger lurks around many corners.

[@dawwilliams8024]

Love hippos! They’re awesome! Glad you’re ok though.

[@karenduplooy5673]

Wow, what a story. I'm really scared of hippos. I've had a few close shaves with them.

[@elainewalls1965]

WHY would anyone choose a CANOE when going down a river with very territorial Hippos around? Some people have more money than sense.

[@Itsmehayleyt]

0:12 the MOST BRITISH response to a hippo attack EVER lol

[@ItsAllFakeAndGhey]

Kayaking…in Africa…in water with hippos…probably the dumbest thing I can think of to do for “holiday”.

[@katysummer9418]

Well maybe its better to leave the wild animals alone. I don't think there is a safari which is 100% safe.

[@mellel5594]

Oh my goodness. What gave them the idea that canoeing in France and the UK would prepare them for canoeing in an African country amongst hippos and alligators??? I don't understand their reasoning! Did they think that they would magically be immune to hippo and alligator attacks? Did they think that the safari guide had a special deal with the hippos and alligators not to attack them?? Sorry... I don't feel sorry for them.

[@steves2754]

I cannot relate to wanting to kayak with hippos and crocodiles. It seems ignorant and stupid tbh

[@almariekuit56]

Never feel safe in the African wild. I'm South African born and bred. I'd never ever go in waters with hippos or Nile crocodiles. It's silly madness.

[@gabrielleandrew542]

Agree

[@kwhitman1231]

7:58 why does it look like she's struggling to not burst out laughing??

[@Silencedogood-r6l]

She does!

[@christinestarr6769]

Idk about her but for me my response to trauma is often to laugh. I can’t help it and it happens both in the moment when something traumatic is happening but also when I’m retelling the story to others.

[@glynisansara]

Oh no this isn’t good… the master of understatement. Very British. 😊 as a South African who has been on many safaris I have experienced some cowboy guides. However it sounds as if this episode was part of being in Africa. I did go on the water in Botswana in a canoe and was not at all happy about being taken very near elephants that were in the water and was also wary of hippos and crocodiles. Didn’t really enjoy it.

[@WatchingHamasBURN]

Maybe stay away from hippos? Maybe? No? Ok

[@WolfHeartMedia]

where's a link to their fund for an ambulance?

[@fabulousmag]

You can donate to their JustGiving page here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/RolandCherry

[@evie9239]

He sounds like David Mitchell

[@publics.public]

Who'd have thought Disneyland would be so dangerous !

[@livedwardo]

Jesus Christ that poor couple

[@WatchingHamasBURN]

I think you misspelled *stupid*

[@stargirl114]

this is bonkers

[@LaurieValdez-zk3dy]

OMG noooooo

[@cplmpcocptcl6306]

I’m the opposite. I DO pay attention to flight attendants, guides etc.. I always think, why not me?

[@Goombasareawesome]

I thought they only ate little white balls.

[@ItsAllFakeAndGhey]

You win 😂😂😂

[@xEPICxNESS]

Uncle lore be wild

[@ahwell9984]

Canoeing in a river with hippos and crocodiles?! I thought only we Americans were mad enough to think that would work out. 😮

[@Lroselovely88]

Well, we know his least favorite Christmas song...

[@soxpeewee]

Moo deng, no!!!

[@emilyrodriguez1226]

most people who have been attacked by wild animals realized they were in an animals territory and probably shouldn't have been they dint blam the animal for natural behavior Gotta love when he said hippos have a slight addtuide problem, probably true from what I've heard lol

[@toniacollinske2518]

Seem like lovely people

[@berenicececilia]

Things that happened to white people. HOW is THAT a vacation? I don't get the "adventure turism". Is such bananas privilege.

[@fistosravenscroft6651]

You right, are people just bored? I mean why would you canoe with hippos and crocs all around

[@dianathompson8794]

Racism alert

[@dianathompson8794]

Racism alert

[@manueladarazsdi9675]

I have to agree

[@Saurane-p7p]

La voix off 🫠

[@xochilguevara3429]

😱

[@CatCat-v5g]

This is SO boring. Stupid people with more money than SENSE thinking they are 'interesting & invincible' 🙄

[@Da_bear-ij9gm]

Literally though. The most British part about this is that they managed to make a life or death adventure story boring

[@user-bx2wl7we5k]

I’m so sorry but those hippos are so hungry, and unfortunately hippos prefer to eat wht people. Africans won’t tell tourists this but I will. Sorry. 😢

[@amandaschaefer6982]

Hippos are vegetarians

[@melindafinnigan172]

Yes they eat plant matter. They attack people more likely for territory issues

[@melindafinnigan172]

Yes they eat plant matter. Most likely attack people from fear and territory issues

[@merlin7654]

LOL