Rebecca Manzi Tippi Degré has never been afraid of contact with wild animals such as elephants or lions, as evidenced by the photos taken by her parents
@templeofleaves/Instagram
Tippi Degré had a very unusual childhood: amidst the harsh landscape of Africa, she made friends with animals most people find intimidating. Her unusual upbringing was exquisitely documented in breathtaking photographs captured by her photographer parents.
These are photos taken by her mother, Sylvie Robert, and show Tippi in scenes as if from a fable: this little girl played quite freely with elephants, lions, and cheetahs, making a special friend of each animal she met.
The photos reveal a world where nature and humans coexist in perfect harmony. One of the most captivating images shows Tippi riding on the trunk of Abu, the 62-year-old elephant, in a scene of mutual trust and respect of the animal and child.
Another picture shows her tenderly stroking the fur of a cheetah and is amazingly docile for one so young. The tender instances of intimacy and complicity, excluding purely physical contact, are underlined by the deep bond Tippi had with these wild animals through her mother’s lens.
No fear in her eyes, only curiosity
The most compelling feature about these photographs has to do with how naturally easy Tippi manages to be in an environment that, to most people, is hostile. There is no fear or apprehension in her eyes, just curiosity, love, and a belonging to that pristine land. The animals, though partly reared with humans, are still wild by nature, yet the presence of Tippi seems to soothe them-as if they recognize a kindred spirit in her.
These photographs record a world that is almost unimaginable: a young girl who runs with ostriches, sits next to lions, and sees, up close, animals usually only seen in nature documentaries. These photographs are not just testimony to an unconventional childhood but reflect upon the possibility of a different relationship between humans and animals.
Tippi’s experience, through her mother’s eyes, shows how two species can communicate not just with words, but with gestures and glances. The love for adventure and travel later took her across several parts of the world as she grew older. She did photography and wrote about it, shared with a larger audience.
Today, Tippi has grown into a vocal advocate of wildlife conservation and environmental awareness, undertaking several projects in that line while inspiring people to appreciate the natural world around them.
