We’d been told about the three hand raised rescues, but we’d not expected them to join us on our morning bush walk.
Life is full of surprises. We’re at Silke’s place, Bambelela Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. It’s quite early as we head out for our usual morning bush walk. We’re not to the gate yet when they discover us. Three rescued, hand raised juvenile warthogs. “Oh how cute!” You might say.
Warthogs are not harmless. Besides their visibly menacing tusks, their lower canines are where the real danger lies. A warthog is generally not aggressive, but has been known to slice and dice when provoked.
At first they’re a bit vary, especially of me on my haunches. However, as soon as I stand up they come in for an ear scratch. Yup! It’s a bit unnerving. We disengage and walk across the cattle guard. Just as we think they’re hanging back at the center we hear them galloping up behind us.
We’d been forewarned the night before and assured they were not aggressive. They’d been brought to the center after their mother was killed. A volunteer became their new mum. They didn’t ‘see’ themselves as warthogs.
And so it happened that three young warthogs joined us on our morning bush walk.
The three are definitely bonded. They stick together as they venture off the track to explore. They’re not gone long and quickly catch up with us. We experiment. Russ walks ahead. They follow him, at times with their tails in the air. Later on I run past him. One follows at a gallop, then the next and final number three joins in, not wanting to be left behind.
They’re a lot like dogs, exploring a bit, but not going far. We hide behind a bush from them once. They come galloping along … and you guessed it, we’re spotted.
These three youngsters definitely add some unexpected fun to our morning bush walk. We find out later that they’d never ventured this far from ‘home’ before. No wonder they stuck so close!
Remember, don’t try to do this with a warthog, most are not tame like this. Warthogs are wild animals and must be respected as such.
Be Brave. Only Believe. Just Do.
Margrit Harris loves nature and wildlife pretty much above all else… that is except her spouse, Russ.
