S pring rains have swollen the Mara River in Kenya luring grassland animals to drink and prompting crocodiles to hunt Resident hippopotamuses submerged near the riverbank watch their neighbors activities with curiosity While the gazelles wildebeest and even lions appear ever vigilant around the crocodiles the hippos are fearless when it comes to the massive reptiles Suddenly a crocodile leaps from the water and pulls a young gazelle HIPPOPOTAMUSES 7
off its feet and into the water Other crocodiles join in the feeding frenzy Two hippos an adult and a baby wade into the mass of crocodiles They nudge the reptiles with their noses and nibble on their spiked backs The young hippo even bites the tail of one of the larger crocodiles But the crocodiles pay no attention to the hippos According to the unique relationship that hippos and crocodiles share the reptiles continue their feast while allowing the hippos to torment them 8 LIVING WILD
