The Heartwarming Story of the Baby Hippo Who Adopted a 130-Year-Old Tortoise as His Mom
In December 2004, the Kenyan coast was hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami. Amid the chaos, rescuers spotted a tiny hippo calf fighting to survive after being swept away from his family near the Sabaki River. The little one, soon to be named Owen, was just a year old and weighed around 300 kilograms, or approximately 660 pounds. Villagers and wildlife officials worked together and saved the calf. With no family left, Owen was brought to Haller Park in Mombasa, a shelter that had once been an abandoned quarry but had since been turned into a thriving home for rescued wildlife.
The young hippo’s arrival was anything but ordinary. He was scared, lonely, and missing the warmth of his herd. That’s when he met Mzee, a 130-year-old Aldabra tortoise known around the park for his slow pace and calm nature. What no one could have guessed was that the two would soon become inseparable companions.
The Day Owen Met Mzee
The moment Owen saw Mzee, something clicked. Instead of wandering away, the baby hippo walked right up to the old tortoise and decided to stick around. He followed Mzee everywhere, through the mud, to the water, even during meals. He slept next to him and copied his movements as if trying to learn how to be a tortoise himself. At first, Mzee seemed a little puzzled by all the attention, but the grumpy old tortoise eventually gave in and accepted his giant new friend.
Caretakers at the park said it was like watching a mother and child. If anyone came too close to Mzee, Owen would step in protectively and show just how deep their bond had become. Ecologist Paula Kahumbu said it best: Owen had “adopted” the tortoise. The baby hippo had found comfort and security again, this time in the shell of a 130-year-old reptile.
When Their Story Went Global
Word of this strange friendship spread faster than anyone expected. Journalists, photographers, and tourists all came to see the duo that no one could stop talking about. Their connection captured imaginations across the world, leading to a bestselling children’s book, “Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship.” Through the pages and photos, kids everywhere learned that love and friendship aren’t limited by species or age.
At Haller Park, their story became more than just a cute tale; it turned into a symbol of hope. It reminded people that even in the middle of loss and chaos, life has a way of bringing unexpected connections that help us heal. Owen and Mzee became a global reminder that kindness can grow anywhere, even between a hippo and a tortoise.
A Friendship That Still Inspires
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Arthur Buliva
As time passed, Owen grew bigger and eventually had to join other hippos, but he never forgot Mzee. Whenever they met, he’d stay close by, and caretakers noticed that Mzee always seemed calmer in his presence as if he recognized the friend who had once followed his every move.
Even today, visitors to Haller Park still ask about Owen and Mzee. Their story is shared with school groups as a lesson in compassion and wildlife conservation. Guides point out the spots where the pair used to swim, graze, and rest side by side.
What started as a rescue mission after a tragedy turned into one of the sweetest friendships in animal history. Owen didn’t just survive; he found family again in the most unexpected way. And Mzee? He proved that even the slowest creatures can make the biggest difference in someone’s life.