Gnu Attacked By Crocodile...

[Knight of Albion]

... but saved by hippos

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...afety.html

[Tobi]

What an amazing story in pictures! It was really moving to watch. I hope the Gnu was ok when he got on land again. That big Hippo was definitely trying to help him get up on to the river bank.

[Catherine]

That is incredible! I can imagine a herd of Gnus coming to his rescue, but a herd of Hippos? That was unexpected and wonderful. The hippos did not just chase off the crocodile, they stayed to help the Gnu get out of the water safely.

[LPC]

Good find, Noble Knight! I don't usually take much notice of comments on a web page following a report, but I liked this one: "Wow, even hippos can be extremely compassionate to other species..... what's our excuse......?"

[Catherine]

I never knew hippos could act this way. It makes me wonder what other animals would do in a similar situation.
The hippos set a rather high standard for compassion. Crocs are dangerous and they still went to help a stranger. An interesting variation on the good Samaritan story.

[Knight of Albion]

Yes and the exemplification of the first hippo stirred something deep within the other adult hippos - and will have planted a seed of consciousness in the younger hippos...

The quiet force that is kindness and good example.

[Tobi]

Yes that's the way young animals learn from their mothers and older ones around them, how to negotiate the world.

It was fortunate that the photographer was there to film this. It makes me wonder -how many similar events might happen in the animal world, that we know nothing about? And also among humans...?

[Knight of Albion]

A good point. Many acts of animal altruism will have gone unnoticed. Though the fact that this one was caught on camera has value in alerting humans that the seed of compassion and goodness of heart is all along the line of evolution.
And would be more so if we humans were living to our ideal and setting the example.

As for human altruism. Best done in private I'd say. What greater 'reward' is there in having done something beautiful than having done it?! Give thanks to God for being blessed with the opportunity.
A noble deed is marked on your soul forever.

[Catherine]

I think a great many acts of animal altruism are known only to those involved in the incident.

When Norbert the guinea pig was 4 weeks old he moved in with his father and older brother. He was shy and the first time I fed them he was uncertain of the food and unsure about helping himself. His brother picked up a piece of fruit and placed it in front of him before he took his own piece. It was such a little thing, but it made Norbert feel welcome.
I wonder how often things like this take place with animals?

I know there are many human acts of kindness that go unnoticed. We are surrounded by goodness and kindness. Someone always carries my groceries down the stairs at the subway. People help with baby carriages. I know there is a lot of bad in the world, but there is a lot of good. I like to hope that the good is the greater.
I think acts of kindness have a way of spreading. Whether you receive or give it changes you for the better. It is a little change like a little seed, but seeds have a way of growing.

[Knight of Albion]

" I know there is a lot of bad in the world, but there is a lot of good. I like to hope that the good is the greater."

"I think acts of kindness have a way of spreading. Whether you receive or give it changes you for the better. It is a little change like a little seed, but seeds have a way of growing".

So true.

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