Australian hippo speculation thread
- Thread starter Zorro
- Start date
Happy died recently, so I believe Mana is the only male in the region left.
Thats quite right, not good news for Hippos!
In the interests of accuracy, there are two males hippos in Australia because Adelaide Zoo also has a male.
That’s Albert/Brutus (born 1965). I think the reason he often gets overlooked is because he’s elderly and won’t be contributing to the breeding programme.
If no imports from outside the region are to take place soon, Werribee may look at loaning Mana from TWPZ. Moving hippopotami is risky (deaths have occurred in transit between Australian Zoos); so if this was undertaken, they might be wise to breed a son from him with Cuddles before he leaves (so there’s a back up male). Like I say, the ideal scenario would be unrelated imports.
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There is an exhibit in between the two current occupied Hippo enclosures that is currently vacant. WORZ certainly have space for a male Hippo to be imported. Brindabella used to live in that exhibit, but was moved into the Safari bus exhibit following Harry’s death.
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So, for all intense purposes What IS the plan with common hippos in Oz???
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In the short term, there is one breeding pair (Mana and Cuddles) at TWPZ. They have produced 0.2 offspring in 2014 and 2017. Adelaide Zoo will be phasing them out after the death of their elderly male.
Long term, I believe TWPZ and WORZ will be the only holders as they're really best suited to the open range zoos; and I'm not aware of any other zoos expressing an interest in holding them. They'd suit Monarto Zoo's open range/African theme however.
The next logical step for them is the import of a bull to Werribee as even the young generation (born between 2003 and 2013) are well and truly of reproductive age. This should be the next priority; followed by a bull to breed with the two young females at TWPZ.
As mentioned, fresh imports would be ideal; but I can't comment on how soon this will happen.
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toothlessjaws
Well-Known Member
Based on the (in)actions of the zoos holding either of the hippo species, one could guess the zoos believe that they might be getting a hippo IRA sooner than later.
It will be interesting to see which zoos and how many Hippos will be imported when allowed. I could see Werribee bring in one or perhaps two bulls. Monatro zoo a pair or even a trio for their new 500 hectare African exhibit. I would hope TWPZ would import some new bloodlines as well. I would Hope even the new Sydney zoo could import a pair, what are your thoughts on the matter?
In my opinion, Werribee need one bull in the immediate future; with access to a second in another decade or so to breed with the female offspring of the first. I would have of thought their priority would be to breed from Tulip (2003), Lotus (2008) and Pansy (2013); but in saying that, their mothers (both born 1990) are less inbred and still of reproductive age.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo have lost a number of adult hippopotami over the last few years, so would arguably have the space to hold at least another breeding pair (in addition to the breeding pair they have). Male offspring from this new breeding pair could be the second bull Werribee will require down the line.
A third spacious facility e.g. Monarto, would be ideal for holding a breeding herd; but smaller zoos like Sydney Zoo, Halls Gap or Altina could also be valuable as holders of an unrelated male that could be swapped as the breeding bull with any of the open range zoos as required.
Common hippopotami are a long lived species; with the potential for large inter-generational gaps. Even a small number of imports could sustain the region’s population for the next 100 years with a little forethought and strategic planning.
When I checked the Govt. site in the last few days the pygmy hippo IRA came up and the draft was dated 2013/2014 .... So, I do hope your optimism is justified ..?????
I’d be interested to know if it’s detrimental to a female Common hippopotamus’ reproductive health to delay the first birth significantly beyond the age she’d naturally give birth (around seven years of age); in the same was it’s not advised to do so in female elephants and rhinos.
I’m tempted to say it’s not an issue (or at least reproduction will not be significantly impaired) based on the fact Petre the Pygmy hippopotami (the closet related species in the region) didn’t produce her first calf until 24 years of age (and had three births in the years that followed). There’s not much data in the region to support this theory either way as most births occurred when zoos were freely breeding hippos.
Some of the oldest dams on record (at first birth) were only in their teens (Snorkle aged 14 years at Auckland Zoo; Solucky aged 15 years at Tipperary; Cuddles aged 12 years at Taronga Western Plains Zoo etc.) Either way, it’ll be interesting to see if any challenges arise in breeding from Tulip (2003), who will likely be in 20’s by the time a bull is on site.
[QUOTE
I’m tempted to say it’s not an issue (or at least reproduction will not be significantly impaired) based on the fact Petre the Pygmy hippopotami (the closet related species in the region) didn’t produce her first calf until 24 years of age (and had three births in the years that followed). There’s not much data in the region to support this theory either way as most births occurred when zoos were freely breeding hippos.[/QUOTE]
What a waste of reproductive years for Petre a mate should have been shipped to her much sooner for an animal species this rare within our region someone sure took their eye off the ball here/or just did not care?, I believe some within our zoo system may of thought that said animals were perhaps to old for breeding but at a cost of valuable calfs.
I’m tempted to say it’s not an issue (or at least reproduction will not be significantly impaired) based on the fact Petre the Pygmy hippopotami (the closet related species in the region) didn’t produce her first calf until 24 years of age (and had three births in the years that followed). There’s not much data in the region to support this theory either way as most births occurred when zoos were freely breeding hippos.[/QUOTE]
What a waste of reproductive years for Petre a mate should have been shipped to her much sooner for an animal species this rare within our region someone sure took their eye off the ball here/or just did not care?, I believe some within our zoo system may of thought that said animals were perhaps to old for breeding but at a cost of valuable calfs.
Orana Wildlife Park would be the most suitable. Wellington doesn’t have the space; and neither do Auckland Zoo. Pygmy hippopotami could be suitable, but would require a new exhibit as the old Common hippopotami exhibit has been long commandeered by the Southern white rhinoceros and Nyala.
Really the only zoo that has had a decent crack at breeding them was Taronga Zoo. They bred ten calves from their pair between 1957 and 1973; bred two calves from one of these; and then imported an unrelated male from Honolulu Zoo in 1981. Things ran stagnant after his export in 1995; but they got him back and commenced breeding (three offspring in three years) in 2007; not to mention the import of one of the males from Cairns Wildlife Safari when it closed.
Adelaide’s breeding programme fizzled out quickly after importing 1.1 between 1979 and 1980. They bred once to produce Petre in 1984; then no breeding until the male died in 1991. They then sat on 0.2 until one was exported in 2007; and the other died of old age in 2012. Space was likely an issue. For some unknown reason, they imported another adult female from Melbourne Zoo in 1982 (who was returned in 1988 - around the time Petre would have been living seperate from her mother).
Earlier today I was looking at Altinas website.
Have a look at the job advert
Permanent Full Time Zoo Keeper/Tour Guide - Altina Wildlife Park
Nice find kiwimuzz. In my view Altina would be in the top 3 regional zoos in the country they are very progressive!
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