Orphaned Baby Hippo Rescued in Kenya
A baby hippopotamus, found desperately nudging its deceased mother at a lake in Kenya over the weekend, is now being hand-reared at a wildlife sanctuary following its rescue.
The calf, named Bumpy, was reportedly "just days old" when it became orphaned, according to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a conservation charity whose keepers are currently providing specialized care.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), which initially rescued the calf and transferred it to the charity, indicated that the mother may have died from natural causes.
However, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust noted the possibility that the mother died in a "territorial fight... protecting her calf, as infanticide is common in hippo society."
KWS described the rescue operation as a "logistical challenge," explaining that the calf was clinging to its deceased mother in the water. The rescuers made a "painful decision" to use the decomposing body as the only anchor point to safely reach the calf.
Based on the level of decomposition, Sheldrick stated that the mother had been dead for more than a day or possibly longer.
After the rescue, Bumpy spent its first night at a nursery in Nairobi, the capital city, where it was fed milk and wrapped in a blanket for warmth and comfort.
The charity reported that Bumpy "was clearly desperate for comfort and connection" and has remained closely attached to its keepers since the rescue.
The calf was subsequently transported by helicopter to Sheldrick's Kaluku sanctuary near Tsavo East National Park, where it will be cared for until it is ready to be released back into the wild.
The sanctuary has been sharing updates and photographs of Bumpy at its new location, which includes a pool near the Athi River that flows through the park.
"[Bumpy] spends a lot of the day submerged - but never alone. A rather waterlogged keeper is by his side throughout the day, in the water or on the ground,"Sheldrick added.
"He is a very snuggly creature and is happiest when nestled on or against someone,"the sanctuary stated, accompanied by a photo showing the hippo resting its head on a keeper's lap.
Bumpy joins another young hippo at Kaluku, who is nearly a year old; however, the two are being kept in separate areas, according to the sanctuary.
Both calves are expected to be released into the wild once they reach maturity and can integrate with other wild hippos.
In natural conditions, a hippo calf nurses for up to a year or longer but remains closely bonded to its mother for several years until reaching sexual maturity, wildlife experts explain.
Established in 1977, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is well known for its work rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned elephants and rhinos, successfully reintegrating them into their natural habitats.
