“Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That's the problem.”
A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
As a few people already know, I went on Safari (a blog post to come) and had a chance to see some of the wondrous creatures living in Africa. However, one of my favourite animals that I've met on my African journey, lives a little closer to home. In fact right outside the front door of Family House 4, in Haydom.
Henry is an African Hedgehog, and an honorary member of Family House 4. He has been with me since I first arrived in Haydom over 5 weeks ago and has remained despite some challenges. Henry is not much of day-person and prefers to party at night; usually starting off with some fine-dining of bugs and plants around dusk. Although, friendly he largely likes to hang out by himself, and until recently he was very camera shy.
At the start of this week something happened that would turn Henry's whole world upside-down. One day whilst he was out (presumably at one of his other lodgings), a bunch of local human's decided they needed to demolish his careful crafted home to get access to a blocked drainage pipe. It was pure devastation, his home was annihilated in a matter of minutes by picks and shovels, never to be seen again. How does a hedgehog prepare for such wanton destruction.
Later that night Henry returned to what was once his home, staring across the barren red tanzanian dirt. Nothing was left, yet for him, there was now nothing left to lose. He did not run away, he did not hide, he continued on, because he had to.
It was on this night that we found Henry outside, alone, looking bare without the grass and scrub usually covering him. Amin (another medical student) scooped Henry up. Henry adopted his traditional ball defense position, leaving only a small part of his face exposed. For although we were already acquaintances, hedgehogs can never be too sure if you are friend or foe.
And this was how Henry had his first picture taken, barely fitting in Amin's hands. We merely captured a moment of this little hedgehog's life, yet it's a moment I will at least hold on to.
If you find hedgehogs interesting or want to find out more about Henry, you can look up Four-toed Hedgehog or Atelerix albiventris.
If you're coming to Haydom and stay in Family House 4 make sure you say hi to Henry.
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