Turgwe Hippo Trust
Karen and her husband Jean-Roger lived on the banks of the Turgwe River, a tributary of the Save River, in the south-east corner of Zimbabwe with only Hippos for company. Jean-Roger, working for Rio Tinto, spent most of his time in the bush prospecting and Karen found herself alone for long periods with the Hippos in the Turgwe River. Walking along the river every day Karen developed a rapport with a family of thirteen Hippos, led by Bob, and was able to observe behaviour never seen before.In 1992 the Hippos were dramatically affected by the worst drought Zimbabwe had known and summoned to her corner of Africa I found myself totally inspired by Karen's determination to protect the Turgwe Hippo from dying and preserving the population for the area, as they would have been poached had they tried to find water.
The Turgwe Hippo Project, funded by Care for the Wild International, was 100% successful and no Hippos died in the drought. May hundreds of other animals were also saved by the water from the dam Karen built and the high protein food she laid out every day.
Fifteen years later Karen has become highly respected as one of the world's experts on Hippo and their behaviour replacing myth with truth in understanding these magnificent wild animals.
Click here to go to the Turgwe Hippo Trust Website. Hippo lecture at the RGS
The Royal Geographical Society, London, is hosting Karen Paolillo for a lecture on her amazing work with Hippos in Africa.
12th July 2007.
Tickets are £15 per person.
Details.