Look at these photos of Owen, a baby hippo orphaned by the tsumani, and his unlikely best friend, Mzee, a 130-year-old tortoise:
Go here to read their whole story and see even more great pics! Oh, click on the link in the sidebar there that says “Owen and Mzee Book.” It includes their story, but also some blank coloring pages for kids, which I think is very cool.
Apparently, animal behaviorialists are at a loss to explain this bond between a mammal and a reptile. They say reptiles are only creatures of instinct, incapable of deriving pleasure from any signs of affection. But that’s not what the caretakers at this wildlife refuge say they are seeing. Amazing. I just love how God leaves scientists scratching their heads sometimes, you know? How He chooses the “foolish things to confound the wise” and all? He’s got a whimsical streak, that God.
Oh, and the “Owen and Mzee” book comes out on June 6th. I guess, too, there was a movie about them that was recently screened at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Go Owen and Mzee!!
(I’m frankly a little smitten with the whole arrangement here.)
I’ve had a few pictures of them on my cubicle wall for several months now. Whenever I see them, it lifts my spirits. There are some PRECIOUS pictures of them out there. They have touched my heart.
I love it. It kinda cracks me up.