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Two dogs and their one big pal, Douglas the little hippo: Trio form unlikely friendship at wildlife rescue park after baby was abandoned at just two weeks
- The baby hippo was abandoned by his mother at just two-weeks-old
- Perfectly happy for terriers Molly and Coco to give him a friendly sniff
- He will stay at wildlife park until big enough to be released into the wild
- Although just weeks old, it took six men to carry Douglas out of the plane
PUBLISHED: 22:59 GMT, 4 February 2014 | UPDATED: 00:17 GMT, 5 February 2014
They are not the most likely of friends - but this lonely hippo has made some canine chums at a wildlife sanctuary.
The baby was found abandoned without his mother at just two weeks old by the Conservation Lower Zambezi in Zambia.
Called Douglas, the hippo appears perfectly content as terriers Molly and Coco gave him a friendly sniff.
A word in your ear: Terriers Molly and Coco play with Douglas the hippo
Last May, he was flown to the Chipembele Wildlife Rescue, where he will stay until he is big enough to be released into the wild.
Staff feed Douglas milk to build him up and have taught him how to swim in the sanctuary’s pools.
They hope one day he can join the wild population in the Luangwa River.
But it remains to be seen how long his friendship with the terriers will last as he grows up.
Say ahhh: How are those baby teeth coming along buddy?
Inseparable: Douglas rubs his belly on a barrel while his two canine chums stay close by
Abandoned: Douglas was found without his mother at just two weeks old by the Conservation Lower Zambezi in Zambia
Lotta bottle: Douglas guzzles down milk to build up his strength
Hippos spend up to 16 hours a day submerged in rivers and lakes to keep their massive bodies cool in the hot sun and can live up to 40 years
New home: Douglas arrives at his enclosure at the Chipembele Wildlife Rescue park in Zambia
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