The Hunters Being Hunted

So much for being the king of the jungle. 

Mail is named after the hippopotamus (mali). The Niger River crosses through the country, and I presume used to be filled these beasts and also caimans (alligator family). Bamako, the capital city means the caiman back, t which used to be visible all over the river.

Anyways, malis (hippo) have a terrible reputation. King of the jungle don’t mean jack to hippo. They are extremely territorial and at their very worst during mating season. The competition for females can end in the death of the defeated male, or there won’t be peace.To make matters worse, when a male takes over a pride, it will kill all the infants (maybe just the male ones), but they love a bloodbath.

Just a nudge from a hippo can be mortal, they have a phenomenal strength, easily amongst the top on the planet in brute power. And that thick looking hide is a definite armor unlike any in nature, not to mention those enormous teeth in a mouth that opens easily to close to 180 degrees. 

The band of lion brothers is best cowering away with tails between their legs, and as fast as they can. They know better.Anecdotally here in Mali where I have been for the past couple of months, comparing someone’s mood to a mean mali is really bad.