A hippo mama at the Sanctuary Olonana in the Masai Mara, Kenya, has a new vocation: life guarding. She stunned onlookers last week as they gathered to witness thousands of wildebeest (gnu) cross the Mara River. Thousands of herd animals cross between Kenya and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park yearly in the search for fresh grazing grounds.

A young wildebeest became separated from her mother as the current dragged her downstream. It appeared that she might drown when the kind hippo mama swam to her and pushed her to shore. ‘To everyone’s amazement the hippo came to the gnu’s rescue and pushed it gently to the river bank,’ said head guide Abdul Karim. The baby took a moment to recover her breath and then ran to her waiting–and undoubtedly concerned–mother.

As the spectators discussed this amazing incident, a baby zebra also tried the crossing but quickly got into trouble, her head bobbing in the water. Again, the hippo mama swam to her aid and pushed the baby to shore.

It was an unforgettable incident,’ said Karim. ‘Maternal love can be so strong it can even surpass species boundaries,’ he added.