The male Nile Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) named Humphrey became a global curiosity in the early 2010s. His unconventional existence symbolized one man’s belief that he could domesticate one of Africa’s most notoriously dangerous animals. Humphrey’s story traveled worldwide, sparking debates about the nature of wild animals and the limits of interspecies relationships.
The Origin Story
Humphrey began life as a wild calf on the banks of the Vaal River in South Africa’s Free State province. Estimated to be only five months old, he was rescued from a river flood. Local people initially cared for the calf, but as he grew rapidly, he became too much for them to manage.
Marius Els, a part-time farmer and former army major, acquired the young hippo and brought him onto his 400-acre farm. Els quickly formed an intense bond with the animal, naming him Humphrey and treating him like an adopted son.
The Moment Humphrey Captured Attention
Humphrey gained worldwide fame from high-profile media coverage of his life on the farm. Els frequently filmed himself interacting with the animal, with footage showing him sitting on the hippo’s back and swimming alongside him. He openly spoke about his deep trust in the massive animal, describing Humphrey as a “gentle giant.”
Despite his owner’s claims, the hippo’s inherently wild nature repeatedly surfaced, creating a pattern of dangerous incidents. The animal, which weighed over a tonne, was blamed for killing calves belonging to Els’s business partner. Humphrey also escaped his enclosure on occasion to chase golfers at a nearby club.
One dramatic event involved a 52-year-old man and his seven-year-old grandson, whom Humphrey chased while they were canoeing. They were forced to climb a tree and remained trapped for two hours until Els arrived to distract the hippo with an apple. These incidents served as clear warnings that the animal’s dangerous instincts could not be suppressed.
Humphrey’s Final Chapter and Zoological Impact
The global narrative of the gentle giant ended abruptly and tragically in November 2011. Marius Els was found dead on his farm, having been repeatedly bitten by Humphrey. His body was discovered submerged in the same river where he had often swum with the animal. The incident became a stark lesson in zoological reality.
Hippopotamuses are recognized as one of the most dangerous and aggressive creatures in Africa, responsible for more human fatalities annually than most other African megafauna combined. Their immense size, reaching up to three tonnes, powerful jaws, and two-foot-long canine tusks are used to defend their highly territorial nature.
Zoologists emphasize that a hippo’s neurological and hormonal development is hardwired for aggression and territorial defense, especially as a young male reaches maturity. The events surrounding Humphrey provided a globally recognized case study that validated scientific warnings against anthropomorphizing and attempting to domesticate African megafauna. Conservationists pointed to the outcome as evidence that the instincts of a wild animal will inevitably override any perceived emotional bond.