Owen and Mzee: A story of an extra-ordinary friendship!
STRANGE things happen. In Mombasa, Kenya, a one-year-old hippopotamus and a 120-year-old giant tortoise are best friends.
STRANGE things happen. In Mombasa, Kenya, a one-year-old hippopotamus and a 120-year-old giant tortoise are best friends.
The hippo, named Owen, and the tortoise, called Mzee, have been friends since December 2004. Mzee is a Swahili word. It means old man.
Like best friends at school, Owen and Mzee spend a lot of time together. They move, play and eat together. They even sleep together. They are inseparable. Wherever Mzee goes, Owen goes and whatever Mzee eats, Owen also eats!
The two were brought together by the Tsunami, which occurred in 2004. A tsunami is a very bad earthquake.
It takes place below the sea or ocean. When it happens, it causes water to move in huge waves. The waves destroy lives and property far from the ocean.
The tsunami separated Owen from his mother and family of other hippopotamuses. They lived in a river called Sabaki. While his family members disappeared, Owen was found. Because one of the people who rescued him was called Owen, they decided to give him that name.
He was taken to a wildlife sanctuary called Hiller Park. A wildlife sanctuary is a special place where animals are kept. When Owen reached Hiller Park, he trotted straight to Mzee. Everyone was surprised. Since then, they have been good friends.
He will eventually be introduced to Cleo, an adult hippo, so he can be with his own kind. But he will be free to be with Mzee if he wants.
Compiled by Raphael Okello
The hippo, named Owen, and the tortoise, called Mzee, have been friends since December 2004. Mzee is a Swahili word. It means old man.
Like best friends at school, Owen and Mzee spend a lot of time together. They move, play and eat together. They even sleep together. They are inseparable. Wherever Mzee goes, Owen goes and whatever Mzee eats, Owen also eats!
The two were brought together by the Tsunami, which occurred in 2004. A tsunami is a very bad earthquake.
It takes place below the sea or ocean. When it happens, it causes water to move in huge waves. The waves destroy lives and property far from the ocean.
The tsunami separated Owen from his mother and family of other hippopotamuses. They lived in a river called Sabaki. While his family members disappeared, Owen was found. Because one of the people who rescued him was called Owen, they decided to give him that name.
He was taken to a wildlife sanctuary called Hiller Park. A wildlife sanctuary is a special place where animals are kept. When Owen reached Hiller Park, he trotted straight to Mzee. Everyone was surprised. Since then, they have been good friends.
He will eventually be introduced to Cleo, an adult hippo, so he can be with his own kind. But he will be free to be with Mzee if he wants.
Compiled by Raphael Okello