Owen began to do everything Mzee did, too. Mzee taught Owen how to eat, so Owen ate when Mzee ate. Mzee taught Owen how to find leaves. When Mzee drank, Owen did, too.

Lately, the scientists who study the pair have noticed that the two share a strange, new language. They have heard low, growl-like sounds coming from both of them. These sounds aren’t sounds hippos or tortoises usually make. Owen and Mzee have found a special way to communicate. Sometimes they talk like this for hours.