Two-year-old rescued after being swallowed by hippo

A hippo has attacked a two-year-old boy in Uganda, swallowing half of his body before spitting him out, according to a statement from the Uganda Police Force.

The child was attacked on December 4 at around 3pm local time in the Katwe-Kabatoro district, in the southwest of the country, according to the statement.

The boy had been playing at his home in Rwenjubu cell, Lake Katwe.

READ MORE: Huge Berlin aquarium bursts, releases flood of 1400 fish and flying glass

"It took the bravery of a one Chrispas Bagonza, who was nearby, to save the victim after he stoned the hippo and scared it, causing it to release the victim from its mouth," a spokesperson for Uganda Police Force said in the statement.

The boy was taken to a nearby clinic for injuries on one hand and later transferred to Bwera Hospital, west Uganda, for further treatment, the statement added.

The child has now been discharged after making a full recovery, police said. He also received a vaccine for rabies, before being handed back to his parents by the police.

"Although the hippo was scared back into the lake, all residents near animal sanctuaries and habitats should know that wild animals are very dangerous," the statement said.

READ MORE: The sad last days of Los Angeles' iconic mountain lion

"Instinctually, wild animals see 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.