30 March, 2008

A love story....

It all started on 26 December 2004-Tsunami strike Malindi! People in the countries struck by it considers it "dooms day", but not for one particular baby male hippo....

How it all began....
All family of hippopotamuses disappeared in that terrible wave, except for a baby hippo, who was found stranded on the reef. Subsequently, the crowd named the hippo ‘Owen’ in honor of the volunteer who tackled him to the ground.

However, Owen didn't seem to appreciate the favour of the volunteers who rescued him at all. Being extremely afraid of the crowd of people, he instantly ran to the safety of a giant tortoise, named Mzee, when he was being released in Haller Park,Kenya. Mzee, a 130-year-old tortoise, just happened to be nearby and he was very surprised by Owen's odd behavior cowering behind him as a baby hippo does to its mother. Mzee quickly came to terms with his new friend and even returned signs of affection. Mzee follows Owen around, nudges him to go for walks, initiates play in the water, and even stretches his neck out so Owen can give him a lick. The unusual relationship between this baby hippo and the ancient tortoise amazed people all around the the world and has been featured in most countries' television and newspapers.

Since then, they continue to spend their days together in the pond, feeding and patrolling. They are inseparable. Very cute, huh?

But in May 2006......
The authorities at the park began being concerned that Owen's affection for Mzee may lead to an unintended injury (as Owen is now nearly twice the size of Mzee) and constructed a new enclosure at the sanctuary for Owen. They also introduced a new female hippo, Cleo, to allow Mzee's return to the safety of his original enclosure. But will this work? Will Mzee and Owen find three is a crowd? Will Mzee be traumatised by being separated from Owen?

(Summarised by Geok Ling and Michelle, based on references from various sites)


Food for thought: If a hippo and a tortoise, from two extremely different species, can come together and be best of frens, why couldn't we humans (presumably more intelligent) from different races and background come to terms with each other? (Ironically, seems like animals know better then humans, what a shame! Nature sure have its own story to be told...)

If want to know more, kindly visit the following link:

http://www.npr.org/documents/2005/jul/owen&mzee_ebook.pdf