Podcast Summary: "I Got Eaten By a Hippopotamus"

Podcast Information

• Title: What It Was Like
• Host: Julian Morgans (Superreal)
• Description: Conversations with people who have lived through extreme events. Some stories are dark and twisted, others are light and funny. In all cases, we get an intimate portrait of 'what it was like' to be there.
• Episode Title: I Got Eaten By a Hippopotamus
• Release Date: May 30, 2025

Introduction to the Episode

In this gripping episode of What It Was Like, host Julian Morgans delves into the harrowing firsthand account of Paul Templer, a former tour guide who survived a terrifying hippopotamus attack on the Zambezi River. This episode not only recounts the intense physical ordeal but also explores the profound psychological and life-altering impacts of such an extreme event.

Guest Background: Paul Templer

Paul Templer, the episode’s guest, shares his rich background, highlighting his deep-rooted connection to Africa and his extensive experience in the safari industry.

• Paul Templer [05:26]: “I grew up in Africa. When I was born, the country I grew up in was called Rhodesia. There was kind of a civil war going on there. And then by the time I finished with my education, it was called Zimbabwe and incredible place, great outdoors.”

Paul's upbringing amidst wild animals and his subsequent service with the British army paved the way for his career as a safari guide, a role he undertook with passion and expertise.

Day of the Attack: Setting the Scene

On the day of the incident, Paul was not originally scheduled to lead a safari due to logistical issues and the illness of his colleague. However, circumstances led him to take charge of a kayaking trip known as the Royal Drift.

• Paul Templer [09:33]: “Actually, that day started. I wasn't supposed to be on safari... So I was the guide in charge and I had three apprentice guides with me that day.”

The group embarked on their journey in Canadian-style canoes, expecting a peaceful drift down the Zambezi River towards Victoria Falls, surrounded by abundant wildlife.

The Attack: Encounter with the Hippo

As the group navigated a narrow channel, an unexpected and aggressive male hippopotamus charged at one of the canoes, leading to a chaotic and life-threatening situation.

• Paul Templer [13:08]: “So I led the way, and I said, okay, everyone, follow me...”

When Evans's canoe was struck by the hippo, Paul swiftly attempted to manage the crisis, demonstrating his training and quick thinking under pressure.

• Paul Templer [16:00]: “I turn to make sure everyone was where they were supposed to be... I knew exactly what that sound was...”

Despite efforts to deter the hippo by slapping his paddle on the water, Paul found himself thrust into a nightmarish scenario, being partially submerged and then fully engulfed by the beast.

Survival Amidst Chaos

Paul vividly describes the physical and emotional turmoil during the attack, detailing how he was momentarily trapped inside the hippo’s mouth and managed to escape multiple times, sustaining severe injuries.

• Paul Templer [17:45]: “I was pinned inside something and I'm trying to get around it, and I'm struggling to break free, and I can't. But I managed to get one hand free and feeling around...”

He recounts the excruciating pain inflicted by the hippo's tusks and teeth, the struggle to stay afloat, and his desperate attempts to rescue Evans, who unfortunately did not survive the attack.

• Paul Templer [21:00]: “I thought I was going to drown. And then when I didn't, I wished that I would have.”

Aftermath and Medical Treatment

Following the attack, Paul describes the immediate attempts to stabilize him and the eventual rescue by a nearby military medical team.

• Paul Templer [36:28]: “And then things start twirling like there was a military rescue team with a shock trauma specialist surgeon with them on an exercise right nearby.”

Due to the severity of his injuries, including a tension pneumothorax and multiple bite wounds, Paul faced a lengthy and complicated medical journey, culminating in the loss of limbs and persistent battles with PTSD and financial strain.

Psychological Impact and PTSD

Paul openly discusses the profound psychological effects of the attack, including guilt over Evans’s death and the long-term struggle with PTSD.

• Paul Templer [48:37]: “So about three days after the attack, they found Evans's body... I think, fortunately, 100 times out of 100, I would have chosen the same route and done the same thing. But that didn't stop me from feeling guilty.”

His candid reflections reveal the deep emotional scars left by the traumatic event and the arduous path to mental healing.

Recovery and Charitable Work

Despite the immense challenges, Paul channelled his experiences into positive action, founding a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping landmine victims and terminally ill children.

• Paul Templer [56:04]: “I teamed up with someone in the States, and we set up a Nonprofit organization in 1999... our main focus at the moment is dealing with chronically and terminally ill kids with special needs.”

This charitable work serves as both a coping mechanism and a way to give back, transforming personal tragedy into meaningful support for others.

Personal Philosophy and Life Lessons

Paul shares his evolving philosophy on life, emphasizing gratitude, kindness, and the importance of making the next right choice.

• Paul Templer [59:42]: “They all use different words, but it was at its essence exactly the same. It was be grateful, be kind, and do the next right thing.”

This mantra, derived from his spiritual journeys across the globe, underscores his approach to overcoming adversity and fostering resilience.

Conclusion: Embracing Life's Challenges

In the final moments of the episode, Paul reflects on the interconnectedness of his survival, personal growth, and ongoing adventures, such as his upcoming Gobi march in Mongolia.

• Paul Templer [54:32]: “I feel comfortable asking for help if I need it. But it's certainly, it certainly hasn't prevented me from living a life just as full as the life I would have lived otherwise.”

Paul’s story is a testament to human endurance and the capacity to find purpose and meaning through even the most devastating experiences.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Templer [17:45]: “I was trying to get around it, and I'm struggling to break free, and I can't. I knew where I was. I was from my waist up, head first down a hippo's throat.”

• Paul Templer [21:00]: “I thought I was going to drown. And then when I didn't, I wished that I would have.”

• Paul Templer [48:37]: “I had been responsible for the clients and for my team and now Evans was dead. And so there was a lot of guilt and anger and frustration.”

• Paul Templer [59:42]: “be grateful, be kind, and do the next right thing.”

Final Thoughts

"I Got Eaten By a Hippopotamus" is a powerful exploration of survival, resilience, and the profound impact of near-death experiences on one's life trajectory. Through Paul Templer's vivid recounting and introspective reflections, listeners gain an intimate understanding of what it truly feels like to face extreme adversity and emerge with a renewed sense of purpose.