Owen & Mzee Dolls & Books
When the 2004 tsusami struck, a baby hippo ("Owen") was separated from his mother and the rest of their pod and stranded on a coral reef. After a very difficult rescue, he was placed in the Kenyan animal sanctuary, Haller Park, where the two creatures now live. Once set loose in the sanctuary, he immediately moved toward Mzee (the Swahili term for "wise old man"), a 130-year-old Aldabra tortoise, and huddled behind him. The two animals, mammal and reptile, are now inseparable.
Craig Hatkoff and his then-six-year-old daughter Isabella followed the story in the papers, and then--with the help of Paula Kahumby, Manager of the Kenyan Wildlife Sanctuary-- wrote the book Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship. Two other books have followed, as well as a sweet pair of dolls.
The books are illustrated with the photographs of Peter Greste, the photographer who took the original photos that brought the story to the world's attention.
An amazing, inspirational story for children--and adults, too!
Craig Hatkoff and his then-six-year-old daughter Isabella followed the story in the papers, and then--with the help of Paula Kahumby, Manager of the Kenyan Wildlife Sanctuary-- wrote the book Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship. Two other books have followed, as well as a sweet pair of dolls.
The books are illustrated with the photographs of Peter Greste, the photographer who took the original photos that brought the story to the world's attention.
An amazing, inspirational story for children--and adults, too!
