The best fathers in the world

> Human dads should emulate the emperor penguin and red fox for the care and love they give not only to their young but also partner

hair but boy, is he one lousy dad.

It is the mummy lion which goes out hunting while daddy defends his territory against scavengers like hyenas.

When mummy lion returns from hunting with the food, daddy gets to eat first. Mummy and the cubs have to make do with the leftovers.

The red fox, on the other hand, excels as a father. Mummy fox stays in the den after giving birth so that she can take care of her young and keep them warm. Daddy fox goes out to hunt for food for the family.

After four to five weeks when the pubs are mature enough to venture out of the den, daddy plays with them and teaches them survival skills.

He buries food with twigs and leaves for his young to forage. What a dad!

Another animal which deserves Dad of the Year award is the emperor penguin.

After laying her egg, mummy penguin cautiously transfers it to daddy’s feet and goes off to gorge on a good meal.

Laying an egg is an exhausting affair, okay. Time for rejuvenation so that she can come back stronger to take care of her young.

Meanwhile, dad has to shoulder the parenting job. He incubates the precious egg in his pouch for two months until the egg hatches. His buddies chip in to help keep the chick warm by huddling together.

After mummy penguin has refreshed and replenished herself, she returns to take over the parenting.

Then only does daddy penguin leave the hatchling to feed himself until the next shift. What a great example of tag-team parenting.

Wouldn’t it be nice if human fathers have the qualities of the red fox and the emperor penguin?

Daddies then would play a more active role in bringing up their young ones: feeding the kids while mummy grabs a bite, playing with them while mummy catches up with the chores, and putting them to bed while mummy get ready for the next day.

Then every day they’d deserve a Best Father in the World award.

Lydia Teh is a mother of four and author of nine books, including the latest, Cow Sense for Young People. Send comments to lifestyle.lydia@thesundaily.com.