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Truck Driver Checks His Tires, Finds An Orphaned Animal In Need Of Love And Care
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Truck Driver Checks His Tires, Finds An Orphaned Animal In Need Of Love And Care

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A truck driver in Namibia couldn’t believe it when he found a baby aardvark, a nocturnal mammal native to Africa, curled up next to his tires. He tried looking for its mother, but couldn’t find her anywhere. The exotic animal was taken to ZURI orphanage, where the hairless, 2 month old aardvark captured the hearts of the staff members. “It was love at first sight for me,” a local vet and the founder of the organization Dr. Erika de Jager told The Dodo.

The aardvark was named E.T. and given plenty of love and care. “It is a full-time job, much like a [human] baby,” de Jager added. “They need to be fed every couple of hours”.

E.T. was also introduced to shelter’s rescue dogs, Spokie and Zarah. At first the pooches were confused as to what kind of dog E.T. was, but quickly he became one of their pack. “If the dogs went for a walk, ET was with them,” de Jager said. “I don’t think ET realized he was an aardvark. I think he just assumed he was a dog.”

After 5 months at a rescue, E.T. was released back into the wild. Still, the grateful aardvark “comes home every night” to visit his human ‘mom’ de Jager.

More info: ZURI Orphanage | Facebook (h/t: thedodo)

A truck driver in Namibia couldn’t believe it when he found a baby aardvark curled up next to his tires

He tried looking for its mother, but couldn’t find her anywhere

The exotic animal was taken to ZURI orphanage, where he captured the hearts of the staff members

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The aardvark was named E.T. and given plenty of love. “It is a full-time job, much like a [human] baby”

“They need to be fed every couple of hours”

E.T. was also introduced to shelter’s rescue dogs, Spokie and Zarah

At first the pooches were confused as to what kind of dog E.T. was, but quickly he became one of their pack

“I don’t think ET realized he was an aardvark. I think he just assumed he was a dog”

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After 5 months at a rescue, E.T. was released back into the wild

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Still, the grateful aardvark “comes home every night” to visit his human ‘mom’ de Jager

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diz_1 avatar
The Laugh Fan
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So very sweet! I couldn't help but laugh at the contrast between ET's adorably large ears making him look cute and rather soppy (to me) and his scarily large claws! I hope he is able to enjoy his two worlds, being free and able to live wild but having a home he can toddle back to whenever he wishes.

pandakoi avatar
Jackie Yale
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Im not sure of it was smart to introduce him to dogs...I mean what if in the wild he runs into wild dogs?

pinkyfloydy34 avatar
Nyello
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After checking out the Zuri Orphanage page I can only say that these people definitely care about the animals and try their best to take care of them. But there are more instances of animals returning to them after release. I think maybe try releasing them farther away?

elorabird avatar
Summer Coley
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing wrong with that if they don't mind. It's like grown kids coming back home once and a while. The animals are imprinted from the love and care they've received from their caretakers. Non-human animals bond just like we do : )

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talisesnyder avatar
Talise Snyder
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This reminds me of the Ice Age movie where there was a mammoth who was convinced she was a possum because she hung out with them all the time! Just like this adorable aardvark! <3

nordx avatar
Marcin Michalski
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So exotic animal! We are smiling all the time with my daughter. Thank you!

kathinka avatar
Katinka Min
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope I'm not the only one who had to google aardvark.... :-D

ballential avatar
Amanda Ballentine
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this. Especially since he comes back to his home and 'Mommy' every night.

diz_1 avatar
The Laugh Fan
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So very sweet! I couldn't help but laugh at the contrast between ET's adorably large ears making him look cute and rather soppy (to me) and his scarily large claws! I hope he is able to enjoy his two worlds, being free and able to live wild but having a home he can toddle back to whenever he wishes.

pandakoi avatar
Jackie Yale
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Im not sure of it was smart to introduce him to dogs...I mean what if in the wild he runs into wild dogs?

pinkyfloydy34 avatar
Nyello
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After checking out the Zuri Orphanage page I can only say that these people definitely care about the animals and try their best to take care of them. But there are more instances of animals returning to them after release. I think maybe try releasing them farther away?

elorabird avatar
Summer Coley
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing wrong with that if they don't mind. It's like grown kids coming back home once and a while. The animals are imprinted from the love and care they've received from their caretakers. Non-human animals bond just like we do : )

Load More Replies...
talisesnyder avatar
Talise Snyder
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This reminds me of the Ice Age movie where there was a mammoth who was convinced she was a possum because she hung out with them all the time! Just like this adorable aardvark! <3

nordx avatar
Marcin Michalski
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So exotic animal! We are smiling all the time with my daughter. Thank you!

kathinka avatar
Katinka Min
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope I'm not the only one who had to google aardvark.... :-D

ballential avatar
Amanda Ballentine
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this. Especially since he comes back to his home and 'Mommy' every night.

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