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Baby Hippo Raised By Rhinos Meets A Hippo for the First Time

Baby Hippo Raised By Rhinos Meets A Hippo, Image by The Dodo via YouTube

In the fascinating world of wildlife, unexpected friendships often form, and the story of Charlie, a baby hippo raised by rhinos who meets another hippo for the first time, is a heartwarming testament to this. Let’s watch as a baby hippo meets another hippo for the first time.

A Unique Friendship

Screenshot from: Baby Hippo Raised By Rhinos Meets A Hippo, Source: Youtube, Upload: The Dodo.

In the heart of a rhino orphanage, a unique friendship blossomed between two unlikely companions. Charlie, a baby hippo and a rhino calf, abandoned at just a couple of days old, found solace in each other’s company. As social animals, the pairing seemed perfect, and they quickly formed a bond that was both heartwarming and intriguing. They played and slept together, and their bond grew stronger with time.

Living as a Rhino

Screenshot from: Baby Hippo Raised By Rhinos Meets A Hippo, Source: Youtube, Upload: The Dodo.

Charlie’s life was far from ordinary. He lived among the rhinos, and over time, he began to think of himself as one of them. He adopted their habits, becoming active during the day and resting at night. However, this lifestyle presented a unique challenge for Charlie. Hippos are semi-aquatic animals, spending significant time in the water to protect their sensitive skin from the sun. Conversely, Charlie avoided deep water, preferring to stay on land with his rhino friends. This led to him getting sunburned, as he was not spending enough time in the water.

A New Arrival

Screenshot from: Baby Hippo Raised By Rhinos Meets A Hippo, Source: Youtube, Upload: The Dodo.

The arrival of Moomin, a rescued hippo from a private reserve, marked a turning point in Charlie’s life. Moomin and a sheep she had bonded with arrived at the orphanage. The newcomers were placed in a smaller pen inside Charlie’s enclosure, allowing the animals to get acquainted. Charlie, who had never seen another hippo before, was intrigued by Moomin. After a few days, the barrier between them was removed, and Charlie, driven by curiosity, joined Moomin in the water.

Learning to Be a Hippo

Screenshot from: Baby Hippo Raised By Rhinos Meets A Hippo, Source: Youtube, Upload: The Dodo.

Moomin, familiar with her natural hippo habits, began teaching Charlie how to enjoy being in the water. Initially, Charlie spent less time in the water than Moomin, but over time, he began to understand that he was meant to be there. His desire to be closer to Moomin also played a significant role in his transition. 

A New Home for the Hippos

Screenshot from: Baby Hippo Raised By Rhinos Meets A Hippo, Source: Youtube, Upload: The Dodo.

The hippos were gradually moved from their small enclosure to a larger dam in an outside area. They still interacted with the rhinos during the day rather than at night. This allowed Charlie to spend time with his original rhino friends while bonding more closely with Moomin. 

A Journey Towards Independence

Screenshot from: Baby Hippo Raised By Rhinos Meets A Hippo, Source: Youtube, Upload: The Dodo.

The Video

Screenshot from: Baby Hippo Raised By Rhinos Meets A Hippo, Source: Youtube, Upload: The Dodo.

Watch The Full Video Here “Baby Hippo Raised By Rhinos Meets A Hippo

YouTube video
Baby Hippo Raised By Rhinos Meets A Hippo, Source: YouTube, Upload: The Dodo

As Charlie and Moomin grew, they began spending more time with their own species, which benefited both groups. The rhino Charlie had initially bonded with was released back into the wild, and Charlie and Moomin were slowly prepared for a similar fate. 

Isolating the Hippos for Release

Screenshot from: Baby Hippo Raised By Rhinos Meets A Hippo, Source: Youtube, Upload: The Dodo.

The caretakers began limiting their interactions with the hippos, dropping food twice daily but not entering their enclosure. This was a necessary step, as hippos are very territorial animals. The ultimate goal is to release Charlie and Moomin into a habitat not currently occupied by other hippos, allowing them to return to the wild where they belong.

Conclusion

Screenshot from: Baby Hippo Raised By Rhinos Meets A Hippo, Source: Youtube, Upload: The Dodo.

Charlie’s story is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of animals. Despite being raised among rhinos, he learned and adopted his natural hippo habits with the help of Moomin. His journey from being a baby hippo raised by rhinos to meeting a hippo for the first time and learning to be one is intriguing and heartwarming. It serves as a reminder of the wonders of the animal kingdom and the incredible work done by animal rescue and rehabilitation centers.

Facts about Baby Hippo

Baby Hippo Meets A Hippo for the First Time.
Hippos Lounging. Image via Depositphotos

Baby hippos, known as calves, are fascinating creatures with unique characteristics and behaviors. Here are five interesting facts about these adorable yet powerful animals.

Born in Water

Baby Hippo Meets A Hippo for the First Time.
Baby Hippo. Image via Depositphotos

Baby hippos are usually born underwater. This natural environment allows the newborns to quickly learn to swim and navigate their aquatic habitat.

Rapid Growth

Mother and Baby Hippo
Mother and Baby Hippo. Image via Unsplash

Hippo calves grow at an astonishing rate, gaining about 100 pounds within their first eight weeks. This rapid growth is fueled by their mother’s nutrient-rich milk, which they consume both on land and underwater.

Protective Mothers

Baby Hippo Meets A Hippo for the First Time.
Lazy Hippos. Image via Depositphotos

Mother hippos are extremely protective of their calves. They often keep their young close and will aggressively defend them against any potential threats, including other hippos.

Social Animals

Hippo Family
A hippo family. Image by Depositphotos.

Baby hippos are social creatures and enjoy interacting with other calves. They often form playful groups called “pods” or “schools” and engage in various social behaviors that help them develop essential skills.

Strong Swimmers

angry hippo
Angry Hippo. Image via Depositphotos

Despite their bulky appearance, hippo calves are excellent swimmers. They can hold their breath for up to 40 seconds, allowing them to move gracefully and efficiently in the water from a very young age.

Thank you for following along with this article – Baby Hippo Meets A Hippo for the First Time.

Latest posts by Linnea H, BSc Sociology (see all)

Melissa Mysing

Monday 29th of July 2024

Why am I seeing so many more wild animals in someone’s captivity? These animals need to be in their own domain. They are not pets and do not like being in a false environment like so many people insist is better. Who is it better for? The humans? Yes. I think so . The animals tend to start stressing because they are not out hunting, browsing, etc like they are meant to be. Please stop humanizing these animals and referring to them as rescues. The only ones being rescued are the humans.