Hippo on the Upper White Nile

"While paddling sections of the upper Nile, I have also had some memorable wildlife encounters. I particularly remember close calls with hippos, which tend to be very territorial about their pools. On one particular occasion (just seconds after taking this image), my raft was rammed by the hippo in the photo. Fortunately, no one was hurt but the situation might have been much worse had the river not deepened just before the hippo made contact with the boat. On another trip down the Zambezi River, my raft was punctured by a hippo. Like many paddlers who have kayaked or rafted African rivers, I have a very healthy respect for hippos! In most years, more Africans are injured or killed by hippos than by any other wild animal." Mark Angelo

For the past four decades river conservationist Mark Angelo has traveled on hundreds of the world's waterways, including the storied Nile, Mekong, Amazon, and Yangtze. Many of his travels and experiences are highlighted in his new Riverworld presentation that premiered in Vancouver on September 25, and which will be held in other North American cities in coming months.

Celebrating the International Year of Fresh Water, Riverworld focuses on river travel, the threats confronting rivers, and the plight of many river-based indigenous people and cultures throughout the world.

Angelo is the head of the Fish, Wildlife, Recreation Department at the British Columbia Institute of Technology and is an Order of Canada recipient for his river conservation efforts.
Read an interview with Mark Angelo >>
Visit the Riverworld Web site >>

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