Surviving Survival

Kenya's Mzima spring is home to one of the world's most exclusive spas, its client list restricted to the 60-plus hippos that live downstream. The 'spa' is staffed by a school of labeo fish eager to please a visiting hippo, which obliges its hosts by splaying its toes, widening its stance and opening its enormous jaws to allow each fish the access it needs to scrub and clean. The fish leave no crevice, fold of skin or tooth untouched and the hippo is grateful, often becoming so relaxed it dozes off.

July 1, 2002

Kenya's Mzima spring is home to one of the world's most exclusive spas, its client list restricted to the 60-plus hippos that live downstream. The 'spa' is staffed by a school of labeo fish eager to please a visiting hippo, which obliges its hosts by splaying its toes, widening its stance and opening its enormous jaws to allow each fish the access it needs to scrub and clean. The fish leave no crevice, fold of skin or tooth untouched and the hippo is grateful, often becoming so relaxed it dozes off.