When I was lucky enough to be a Keeper for the Day at the Adelaide Zoo, the first thing we did was tidy up the day enclosure for the hippos, and then clean up their night enclosure. One of the special parts of the ‘ticket’ was the opportunity to feed some small biscuits of lucerne to the two old hippos before they were let out. They dutifully line up on the other side of some massive steel barriers, open their mouths and wait for goodies. We were warned not to bother about bits of lucerne which might have missed, as their jaws shut with the most amazing speed and power. The big tusks at the back are about half the thickness of my wrist – they are truly awesome! What a wonderful experience this was:)
These hippos are about 40 years old, and won’t be with us for very much longer…
This is absolutely remarkable, Denzil!!! I amazed myself by recognizing what it was before reading your text… there’s just something about those hippo teeth. Fascinating tale, too. What a day you must’ve had. This is extraordinary!!
Thank you!!! Yes, it was a truly wondrous experience, and I’m so glad you recognised what this shot was:)
Wow, this is as close as I’d want to be!!! Very scary! The dentists there keep the tusks sawn off, eh?
Don’t know about the tusks … we did see the very old enclosure where the hippos lived, many years ago, where they had literally chewed away the bricks around the paltry window in the wall … I was astonished at just how BIG they are – you really don’t get that when you see them from the public side of the fence:)
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Wow what a greaty shot so unusal, well taken,
Thanks Malcolm – that was quick!!! It was a privilege to be able to get so close (safely!!)
– Denzil
This is absolutely remarkable, Denzil!!! I amazed myself by recognizing what it was before reading your text… there’s just something about those hippo teeth. Fascinating tale, too. What a day you must’ve had. This is extraordinary!!
Thank you!!! Yes, it was a truly wondrous experience, and I’m so glad you recognised what this shot was:)
– Denzil
Wow, this is as close as I’d want to be!!! Very scary! The dentists there keep the tusks sawn off, eh?
Don’t know about the tusks … we did see the very old enclosure where the hippos lived, many years ago, where they had literally chewed away the bricks around the paltry window in the wall … I was astonished at just how BIG they are – you really don’t get that when you see them from the public side of the fence:)
– Denzil
Wow! This made my jaw drop Denzil! What an amazing experience!
Glad it had this effect – it had a similar effect on me too!!!
– Denzil
That is indeed an awesome sight,Denzil!
Incredible really … I’m not sure what use these huge teeth are in eating lucerne … people, yes, but grass, no!!
– Denzil
Now this is different!..(I was looking for the hippos amongst the giant logs heheh!)…Beautifully done Denzil….Quite extraordinary!!!
Thanks Meg – it was simply breath-taking…
– Denzil
I’m happy to stay this side of the fence, I think ;)
Wow! What an amazing capture!