Hippos

The "water horse."

Hippos chilling out. Hippos kill more people than any other animal in Kenya, or so I was told. They are surprisingly fast in the water.

(Click on the photos - some have larger images. All photos and commentary apply to 1984-86 time period.)

Heck yes, I am the king of the jungle

Lions are not the most powerful, nor the fastest animals out there. So why are they called the king of the jungle?

After seeing them, I decided it was because of their attitude. Many animals do not want to deal with people. Many run away. Some (see buffalo below) are hostile.

But lions - just don't care. You drive up about five feet from a lion lounging on the grass and he looks up at you and you can just see him thinking "so?" The proper word for their approach to life is "regal."

Buffalo

We used to say that every buffalo herd had appointed one animal to challenge anyone who got close. Here you can see the challenge to us.

Rhino

Another species with a reputation for being pissed at life.