South African army major Marius Els met a gruesome fate after being killed by his pet hippo, Humphrey, an animal he had raised from infancy and described affectionately as 'like a son'.

Tragically, the 40-year-old's mutilated body was found in the very river from which he had rescued Humphrey during a flood years ago.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

The formidable beast, weighing over a tonne, savaged Els to death at his Free State farm, a vast 400-acre estate where the hippo was accustomed to swimming with humans. The shock of the incident was intensified by footage that had circulated of Els riding the hefty mammal, an act that left many startled by his ability to manage such a dangerous endeavour.

Despite the viral video showing Els' daring act, The Guardian reported several warning indications that Humphrey was too wild to tame. This included the terror experienced by a 52 year old man and his young grandson, who were forced to clamber up a tree to escape the hippo when they happened upon Humphrey’s riverside haunt on Els' property.

The rescue came at Els’ hand, who distracted the hippo with an apple while paramedics saved the stranded duo, reports <a href="https://www.themirror.com/news/world-news/horrifying-final-moments-man-mauled-1158515" rel="Follow" target="_self">the Mirror US</a>.

Louise Els, Marius' wife and a pharmacist, had concerns after past incidents involving the unpredictable hippo, which had previously chased golfers and fatally attacked calves owned by Els’ business partner.

Nevertheless, Marius Els consistently spoke of Humphrey with deep fondness, saying: "Humphrey's like a son to me, he's just like a human. There's a relationship between me and Humphrey and that's what some people don't understand.

"They think you can only have a relationship with dogs, cats and domestic animals. But I have a relationship with the most dangerous animal in Africa."

Renowned as one of the deadliest beasts in Africa due to their enormous canine teeth, hippos are notorious for the number of fatalities they cause each year, surpassing those from lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo and rhinos combined.

The hippopotamus, a behemoth species following behind elephants and rhinoceroses in size, can weigh up to three tonnes and suprisingly reach speeds of 30mph despite their massive girth.

The South African farmer had famously boasted about his special bond with the gigantic mammal, affirming that "his pet" would hearken to his voice, revel in communal playtimes, and even endure tooth-brushing sessions by his hand. Els, who also harboured giraffes and rhinos on his property, professed that the mere sound of his call would beckon Humphrey back home, dubbing the hippo a "loveable" and "gentle giant".

"It's a little bit dangerous, but I trust him with my heart that he will not harm anybody," Els said - according to The Daily Mirror.

SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

"I can swim with him. I go in the water. He allows me to get on his back, and I ride him like a horse. He swims with me. He's like a son to me."

Tragically, this harmonious kinship took a grievous turn when the hippo unexpectedly lashed out, resulting in a fatal attack on its human companion.

As reported by an ambulance spokesman to the Daily Mirror, paramedics discovered Els submerged in a river, having suffered multiple bite wounds inflicted by the hippo, leaving it unclear how long he had been lying in the water before being found.