Two-year-old boy rescued after being swallowed by a hippo

(CNN) — A hippo attacked a 2-year-old boy in Uganda, swallowing half of his body before spitting him out, a Uganda Police statement said Friday.

The boy was attacked on December 4 at around 3:00 p.m. local time (7:00 a.m. ET) in the southwestern Katwe-Kabatoro district, according to the statement.

The boy, named Iga Paul by Ugandan police, had been playing at his Rwenjubu cell house on Lake Katwe.

“It took the bravery of one Chrispas Bagonza, who was nearby, to save the victim after he stoned the hippo and startled it, causing it to drop the victim from its mouth,” a police spokesman said. of Uganda in the statement.

The boy was taken to a nearby clinic for hand injuries and later transferred to Bwera hospital in western Uganda for further treatment, the statement added.

The boy has since been discharged after making a full recovery, according to police. He too was vaccinated against rabies, before the police returned it to his parents.

“Although the hippo was returned to the lake in fright, all residents near animal sanctuaries and habitats should be aware that wild animals are very dangerous,” the statement said.

“Instinctively, wild animals view humans as a threat, and any interaction can cause them to act strangely or aggressively.”

Known as one of the most dangerous animals on the planet, hippos can snap a canoe in half with their strong jaws, according to National Geographic.

CNN’s Amir Vera contributed reporting.