A conversation with Hippos

摘要

Volatile and aggressive, hippos are hard to get close to, unless -like KAREN PAOLILLO -you talk to them. Using her voice to pacify these wary animals, she has gained unique access to their intimate society and witnessed behaviour that has never been seen before. BY THE TURGWE RIVER, on the gende rise of a sandbank, several Nile crocodiles bask in the winter sunlight As I watch, the six-month-old hippo calf I have named Sabi approaches one of them. I assume that, as usual, her intention is simply tonudge the large, lazing reptile out of her way, so that she can claim its prime sunbathing spot. But this time, she has something else on her mind. I watch in astonishment as Sabi begins licking the crocodile's spiky hindquarters and tail, her large tongue lapping lovingly at its back, her drool dribbling down its flanks. I've never seen anything like this before - and I've lived here for 17 years. But if s not the first time these Zimbabwean hippos have astonished me with their unusual behaviour.