Roland and Shirley Cherry, from Warwickshire, were on a dream trip in Zambia when they had a close encounter with a hippo that could have ended in tragedy. The couple were on a canoe safari on the Kafue River when their kayak was hit, tossing the pair into the water. Roland Cherry was then grabbed by the submerged hippo, dragged to the bottom of the river and tossed in the air. The animal caused major injury, with Mr Cherry suffering serious leg, abdominal and shoulder injuries.
Despite the severity of his injuries, quick-thinking by a local hospital saved Mr Cherry’s life. He had seven operations across a period of more than two weeks. Most nurses at the hospital said the survival rate from hippo attacks was almost non-existent as most were usually fatal. If Mr Cherry’s wounds had been slightly deeper, he may not have survived. During the attack, the couple showed courage, and before the incident, were aware that they were invading the hippo’s territory.
The couple had been on an adventure in June to explore wildlife in southern Africa and did not expect to come so close to one of the deadly animals. “I’m not very fond of what [one] did to me,” said Mr Cherry, not harboring any hatred toward the animal. He praised the hospital staff at Mtendere Mission Hospital for their lifesaving care and is now fundraising for them. The couple is now back home and reeling from their encounter with the hippo.
Shirley Cherry said if the hippo attack had been directed at her, she would not have survived. Roland Cherry suffered a 10-inch wound on his abdomen, a thigh injury, and a dislocated shoulder. He felt indebted to the Mtendere Mission Hospital staff for giving him a second chance at life. He appreciated the animals they saw on their trip, but he didn’t expect to encounter a hippo in his proximity. His story demonstrates the importance of respect for wildlife and the need to be conscious of our surroundings
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