Risky Business
Hippos are dangerous,
more so than sharks,
or any other animal,
besides the mosquito.
Forty people attacked,
fourteen died
in Lake Naivasha
in one year,
mostly fishermen.
I pictured them out
in their little motor boats,
like the ones we were in,
which made me nervous.
Hippos can stay underwater
for a long time, often
sleeping.
They can sneak up on a
boat,
knock it over and drown
their victim.
When I saw the way
the fisherman actually fished,
I understood why it was so
risky.
They had no boats.
They waded out waist deep
and spread out their nets
right along the banks
in the hippos’ territory.
When we cruised the lake,
we came upon a large hippo
resting on the bank.
Our driver kept his
distance.
But from that angle we
could see
what a kayaker couldn’t
see.
He was headed for the spot
closest to the hippo.
Angrily, the huge hippo
stood,
snorted and charged toward
the kayak.
Just a warning, though. He
stopped
letting the kayaker zip
by.
Our guide watching, said,
“Hippos don’t like it
when you invade their
territory.”
Yah, you think?
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