Some sightings will stay with me forever. And on one particular morning’s game drive earlier this month, this sighting (a mere 10 minutes) was one of those moments.
Heading out with little intention other than complete presence and awe for the beauty of this land, we started our morning’s drive passing the water holes close to camp. As we turned the corner, we spotted a mother hippo walking away from the water, and quite literally a little wobbly blob of a newborn hippo calf emerging from the water’s edge behind her.
Moment of discovery. A perfect example of being in the right place at the right time.
The calf was impossibly small! Its movements uncertain, its body still carrying the softness of new life. We all sat in silence, with no explanations needed about how lucky we were to witness it coming out of the water. As it stumbled around the water’s edge, shifting closer to its mother, we caught a glimpse of its faint, trailing umbilical cord.
This was a newborn. Perhaps not more than a few days old, if that.
Slowly, and with gentle persistence, the mother began guiding her calf away from the water’s edge. Each step seemed an effort. The little calf wobbled, its legs unsure beneath it, hesitating often as if to gather balance before trying again. There was something profoundly moving in the patience of its mother (never forceful, never hurried), allowing instinct and time to do their work.
After a few steps, nervous to leave the comfort of all that it’s known in its life thus far (the water), the calf would turn back towards the water. And mom would have to turn back too and encourage it again to follow her.
Hippos give birth in the water after a gestation of around eight months. For the first days of its life, a calf will remain almost entirely submerged, surfacing with the help of its mother to take its first breaths. It is only gradually that they begin to venture onto land, building strength and coordination in those early, unsteady steps.
I believe we got to witness this calf’s first experience walking on land. To witness that transition – the very first tentative movements from water to land- felt like being allowed into a moment not often seen.
Enjoy the images and video included below.
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Oh my gosh Kate! What an incredible time you got with that mum and her newborn… I can’t believe what I see! I suppose it must be extremely difficult to see a newborn hippo coming out of the water… they have always been on my favourite list since I was a little child. Really unbelievably sweet and moving! Thank you for sharing it!
What a wonderful moment to witness.
Such a wonderful sighting, Kate! This little hippo is so cute and mother Hippo so careful with her little one. What a privilege to be able to watch such a scene.
What a special sighting you were able to see and share with your guests. It’s moments such as those that remind us that nature offers us treasures every day, some grander than others, and if we take the time to be in the moment, there could be a surprise just around the corner.
Dear Kate, so cute, never saw such a small hippo. Amazing.
Hi Kate, this video is absolutely amazing, it is so tiny and the umbilical cord is still hanging down. So very precious to see. Thanks for sharing it with us.
How incredible to witness! It must be so disorienting for the calf to experience gravity outside of the water for the first time. Anytime I’m standing in a pool for a while, my legs always feel they’re made of bricks when I climb out. That being said, learning to stand in the water for the first time before venturing onto land sounds gentler than the antelopes and zebras who have to gain their footing immediately.
What a sweet sighting! And how lucky that you and your guests were able to witness such a precious event.
That’s lovely, Kate – how lucky you were to see that. Thanks very much for sharing the video.