Hippo Hug

On a recent trip to the Serengeti in Tanzania, we stopped for lunch near a hippo pool where close to 50 hippos were gathered— nose to nose, tail to tail—practically piled on top of one another. Just in front of this massive group, was a mother hippo and her calf engaged in loving embraces and playful sparring, as if she was teaching her baby the nuances of hippo behavior. Hippos are often portrayed as dangerous and aggressive, but like us, much of that behavior is rooted in protection and fear. When left undisturbed, the tenderness between a mother and her baby, and even within the larger pod, feels strikingly familiar. Witnessing this “hippo hug” was a beautiful reminder that, like us, they too are social animals—capable of deep affection, connection, and care. Their bond reflected the emotional richness that runs through so many in the animal kingdom.