7/8/2005: Hippo and tortoise hang out

Queen of the Ryche sends along a BBC story of this, which is an older news item but never documented here, and it should have been. Owen the one-year-old hippo calf was discovered lost and alone after a set of floods in Kenya. He was put into a wildlife sanctuary, where he discovered and befriended 100-year-old tortoise Mzee.

It's fascinating how baby animals will find a mother figure. Another adorable animal pic, UT and QotR! Thanks! It lifts my spirits to see it. The little hippo looks like he's smiling in pic number 2. The tortoise looks like he's saying, "alright already!"

Very cute.

In the last image the hippo looks like he in deep thought wondering if he will end up looking like his mum

"Hey mom! When do I get my shell?"

"I didn't want to tell you so young, but you're adopted."

Makes you wonder though... Did Hans Christian Anderson write The Ugly Duckling based on something he observed?

Either I'm having a nasty case of deja vu, or I first heard the story as the hippo was a tsunami survivor.

Time to trip off to Snopes...

(insert Final Jeopardy music here)

Yup...tsunami it was...

Sounds like a personal problem....I see them.

I can't see the pictures either. They were fine a couple of days ago. A number of weeks ago I had this problem, but it disappeared until now.

I also get no images. Both at work and at home.

They're showing up for me now.

ooooooohhhhhhhhh! images!!!!
Thanks U.T.
You are a helluva guy with a helluva job.
You da MAN!

Hippo grows up and says to his mom, "I just want to thank you for everything you tortoise."



I know. I know.

I had a good old laugh at that one dar512. The picture is so cute.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/051227/nytu029.html?.v=40

Marking the One Year Anniversary of the Tsunami Scholastic to Publish the Official Version of 'Owen & Mzee'

Inspirational True Story of the Baby Hippo Orphaned By Tsunami and Adopted By Giant Tortoise Captures World's Imagination

Scholastic, the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, Turtle Pond Publications and Lafarge Eco Systems today announced the publication of "Owen and Mzee: the True Story of a Remarkable Friendship." This story of hope and resilience chronicles the incredible friendship formed between Owen, a baby hippo orphaned by the Tsunami, and Mzee, a giant Aldabran tortoise who has become Owen's surrogate parent and inseparable friend. Written by Craig Hatkoff, his seven-year-old daughter Isabella and Lafarge's Dr. Paula Kahumbu, the book is set to be released in March, and will feature extraordinary photographs by journalist Peter Greste. Hatkoff's publishing company, Turtle Pond Publication, acquired the rights from Lafarge Eco Systems Limited that operates the Haller Park preserve in Mombasa Kenya where Owen and Mzee now live together.

One year after the unlikely pair was first joined at Haller Park in Mombasa, their bond is stronger than ever baffling scientists and marking one of the most unusual animal relationships that has ever been documented. Haller Park is a rehabilitated quarry with a thriving ecosystem and a place where visitors from around the world can come see Owen and Mzee in addition to other wildlife such as giraffes, hippos, antelopes and buffaloes to name a few of its many attractions of Nature.