In a terrifying wildlife encounter, safari guide Paul Templer was nearly killed when a hippo attacked him during a tour on Zimbabwe's Zambezi River.
In 1996, Paul Templer's life was forever changed by a brutal hippo attack that inflicted severe injuries and resulted in the loss of his arm, the US Sun reported.
Paul Templer, an experienced guide with six years of leading tours on the Zambezi River, guided a small group of tourists on the river when a massive hippo suddenly emerged and attacked him in full view of the shocked tourists.
The hippo attacked swiftly and intensely, leaving Templer with 38 bite wounds across his body. It nearly skinned his arm, dislocated both arms, crushed his back—puncturing his lung—and inflicted numerous deep puncture wounds on his leg and torso.
His fellow guides quickly wrapped him in cling film to control the profuse bleeding and rushed him to a nearby hospital. The journey, lasting eight hours, required navigating through precarious travel conditions.
Upon reaching the hospital, surgeons were uncertain about Templer's survival, considering the extent of his injuries. They feared that the damage might be too severe for him to recover fully.
During his critical moments, Paul recalled fearing death but knew he had to maintain control to survive. Reflecting on this harrowing experience, he expressed that there was a bizarre absurdity in the intensity of the situation.
One particular quote from his ordeal, as Paul shared, was during his interaction with the surgeon before a life-saving operation: "The surgeon came up to me and I just said 'doc, I know that you’re going to do what you’re going to do but please don’t take the minimalist approach'. His response was a determined commitment to the fight for Paul's life, stating, 'If this kid's gonna fight, if this kid's gonna go for it then I'll go for it too.'
Following the attack, Paul Templer underwent years of physical and psychological recovery. The ordeal, although devastating, set him on a new path as a public speaker and author, turning his survival story into a source of inspiration for many.
Paul penned a book titled "Marked For Life: Finding Grace and Grit Where You Least Expect It", which details his experiences and the profound life lessons learned through them. His book and speeches aim to motivate others facing adversities, using his own story as a testament to human resilience and determination.
Despite the traumatic event that dramatically altered the course of his life, Paul has embraced his circumstances. He acknowledges the challenges of overcoming such a disaster but finds strength in sharing his journey, hoping it can help others in their battles too.
