Unlike other photographers, this one decided to capture the childhood of a French girl named Tippi Degre, a mowgli of sorts – fictional character from The Jungle Book series. You’ll see her riding a five-ton elephant, relaxing with a cheetah or even hugging a giant bullfrog like you would a teddy bear. She was born and raised in Namibia, Africa by her French wildlife photographer parents. Continue reading for a 54-minute video documentary, more pictures, and additional information.
Tippi was born in Namibia, where her parents, Alain Degre and Sylvie Robert, worked as freelance wildlife photographers She was named after Tippi Hedren. During her stay in Namibia, she befriended wild animals, including a 28-year old elephant Abu, a leopard nicknamed J&B, crocodiles, lion cubs, giraffes, a Northern Greater Galago, a Banded Mongoose, an Ostrich, meerkats, a baby zebra, a cheetah, a Caracal, a snake, an African Grey Parrot, giant bullfrogs and chameleons. She also befriended the Bushmen and the Himba tribespeople of the Kalahari, who taught her how to survive on roots and berries, and to speak their language.
Tippi later moved with her parents to Madagascar and then to France, where she became a celebrity. A book of her adventures was published and translated in several languages. My Book of Africa is a bestselling novel of Tippi’s adventurous life in Namibia. She also set up a website, and returned to Africa to make six nature documentaries for the Discovery Channel.
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