When two tribes go to war: Incredible moment legion of hippos turn and flee after stand-off with more than 100 crocs in epic Zambian river battle

By Damien Gayle

They are some of the most fearsome creatures to stalk the waterways of Africa.
But when a army of crocodiles got snap happy with a herd of hippos, it seems that the mammals were in no mood for a fight.
Wildlife photographer Marc Mol witnessed the ignominious retreat in a river at Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, where hungry crocs were preparing to rip one hippo to shreds.

Hippos turn and run after they are confronted with a float of crocodiles in a river at Zambia's South Luangwa National Park

One hippo was unable to get away and lies dead, soon to become crocodile food

The hippos, usually considered fearsome creatures, were clearly in no mood for a fight when confronted by the prehistoric savagery of the crocodiles

More than a hundred crocodiles descended on the river as the hippos ran, said photographer Mark Mol, who witnessed the scene from a microlight

Only the crocodiles seemed to be at all perturbed by the microlight flying overhead, which Mr Mol said may be a throwback to the days when pterodactyls ruled the skies

The hippos moved away upstream to find a new spot to bask in the water, keeping them cool in the relentless heat

Mr Mol saw the incredible scenes while on an early morning flight over the national park

'It was a thrilling and amazing experience, one that I'll never forget,' he said

Their victim lay dead on the muddy banks of the river, surrounded by the fearsome reptiles, while the rest of the herd turned tail. It would have been madness to stay and fight.
More than a hundred crocodiles descended on the river as the hippos ran, said Mr Mol.

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'I was up in a helicopter above the river in the early hours of the morning and my pilot John Coppinger and I saw around 100 crocodiles feasting on a dead hippo,' he told Mercury Press.
'The hot weather was relentless but it was likely this hippo died from anthrax which lies dormant for many years but can get stirred up if the dry season is an extended one.
'What I did find that was most interesting was that the crocodiles appeared to be the only animals that were concerned  with the microlight flying overhead.
'It could well be a throwback to the days when Pterodactyls ruled the skies.
'It was a thrilling and amazing experience, one that I'll never forget.'