Australasian Hippo Population

[Zoofan15]

Pygmy hippopotamus birth at Taronga Zoo:

A female Pygmy hippopotamus calf was born November 22 at Taronga Zoo to Fergus and Kambiri.

The birth of this calf takes the regional population to 3.3 Pygmy hippos:

Taronga Zoo welcomes pygmy hippo calf

Sadly, the female Pygmy hippopotamus calf died after being found unresponsive on Christmas Eve. Initial reports suggest heart problems.

There wasn’t time to announce the results of the naming competition, but staff have advised she was going to be named ‘Amara’ - meaning filled with beauty and grace.

It’s a devastating blow to the breeding programme given her death reduces the regional population to 3.2 Pygmy hippos; but we can take comfort in the fact Kambiri is still young and should go on to produce many more calves.

 

[Zorro]

Sadly, the female Pygmy hippopotamus calf died after being found unresponsive on Christmas Eve. Initial reports suggest heart problems.

There wasn’t time to announce the results of the naming competition, but staff have advised she was going to be named ‘Amara’ - meaning filled with beauty and grace.

It’s a devastating blow to the breeding programme given her death reduces the regional population to 3.2 Pygmy hippos; but we can take comfort in the fact Kambiri is still young and should go on to produce many more calves.

Unfortunately without importation in the near future the outlook for both species within the region looks bleak

 

[Jambo]

Sadly, the female Pygmy hippopotamus calf died after being found unresponsive on Christmas Eve. Initial reports suggest heart problems.

There wasn’t time to announce the results of the naming competition, but staff have advised she was going to be named ‘Amara’ - meaning filled with beauty and grace.

It’s a devastating blow to the breeding programme given her death reduces the regional population to 3.2 Pygmy hippos; but we can take comfort in the fact Kambiri is still young and should go on to produce many more calves.

Devastating news.

I think it’s about time to send Kamina to Melbourne and create a breeding pair there. Even though she is related to their male Felix, having inbred Pygmy Hippos in the region is better than none. Sending Kamina to Melbourne would make the most sense as they have the space for more individuals compared to Adelaide.

 

[Zorro]

Devastating news.

I think it’s about time to send Kamina to Melbourne and create a breeding pair there. Even though she is related to their male Felix, having inbred Pygmy Hippos in the region is better than none. Sending Kamina to Melbourne would make the most sense as they have the space for more individuals compared to Adelaide.

Depending on how long the IRA will take for importation Vs inbreeding

 

[Zoofan15]

Devastating news.

I think it’s about time to send Kamina to Melbourne and create a breeding pair there. Even though she is related to their male Felix, having inbred Pygmy Hippos in the region is better than none. Sending Kamina to Melbourne would make the most sense as they have the space for more individuals compared to Adelaide.

Depending on how long the IRA will take for importation Vs inbreeding

I agree Kamina should be in a breeding situation - either with Obi or Felix. Another option would be to loan one of these males to Darling Downs Zoo until pregnancy is achieved. Something similar was previously cooked up at the 11th hour to get a calf out of Petre. She’d otherwise languished for years at Adelaide Zoo.

Hopefully we’ll get this IRA sorted, but we’ve been hoping for a decade plus without results; so in the meantime, inbred hippos are indeed better than no hippos. God forbid Kani kicks the bucket, we might learn that the hard way re. our Common hippopotami.

 

[Zorro]

I agree Kamina should be in a breeding situation - either with Obi or Felix. Another option would be to loan one of these males to Darling Downs Zoo until pregnancy is achieved. Something similar was previously cooked up at the 11th hour to get a calf out of Petre. She’d otherwise languished for years at Adelaide Zoo.

Hopefully we’ll get this IRA sorted, but we’ve been hoping for a decade plus without results; so in the meantime, inbred hippos are indeed better than no hippos. God forbid Kani kicks the bucket, we might learn that the hard way re. our Common hippopotami.

It was the situation for sometime where the few pygmy hippos were just languishing away with what appeared to be little interest in pairing them up at least better late than never. As has been mentioned before losing the Mareeba hippos was a major set back and short sighted by our zoo managers

 

[Zoofan15]

As has been mentioned before losing the Mareeba hippos was a major set back and short sighted by our zoo managers

The young Common hippopotamus bull (born 2004) would have been a huge asset to the region given that he could have replaced Harold as Werribee’s breeding bull.

Assuming imports aren’t on the horizon, the logical step to fixing this debacle is to breed Kani to any of the females at Taronga; then as soon as they have a second bull on site via his offspring, ship him off to breed with the Werribee cows.

Ideally the Werribee cows (being older) would take priority, but personally I wouldn’t risk transporting the ONLY male Common hippopotamus (a high risk procedure) until we have a back up bull at Dubbo. If they’re that worried about the Werribee cows breeding, loan a couple to Dubbo.

 

[Jambo]

Taronga Western Plains Zoo Hippo History:
(from a regional online paper)

In 1976 Dubbo received 1.2 Hippos:

1.0 Toby
0.1 Suzie (born 26/03/1970) died 28/06/2016
0.1 Mumsy.

A further 1.0 Ollie arrived in 1979.

In 1989, 0.1 Rumbin (1986) arrived from Adelaide. She died on the 04/10/2011.

In 1992 Taronga sent its last Hippos, 1.0 Billy and 0.1 Lindy to Dubbo.

Suzie produced 8 calves in total (5 of which survived to adulthood):

(xToby)

1.0 Harold (born 07/03/1978) sent to Werribee 30/10/1984
0.1 Daisy (born 11/03/1982) sent to Tipperary 13/10/1989
1.0 Happy (born 24/12/1985) died 11/05/2018
Stillborn (born 19/02/1990) died 19/02/1990

(x Ollie)

Unamed (born 12/09/1993) died 12/09/1993
1.0 Mana (born 31/03/1996) died 22/06/2021
Unamed (born 14/08/1998) died 16/08/1998
0.1 Nile (born 15/05/1999)

Mumsy produced a single calf in 1978 with Toby:

Unamed (born 16/03/1978) died 06/05/1978

Lindy produced a single calf in 1993 with Billy:

1.0 Obay (born 19/02/1993) died 26/04/1993

Rumbin produced 4 calves with Happy:

0.1 Mafuta (born 18/03/1991) died 2008?
0.1 Kariba (born 17/06/1996) died 19/11/1996
Unamed (born 29/07/1998) died 16/08/1998
1.0 Timbuktu (born 24/05/1999) died 26/05/1999


In 2012, Cuddles (2002) arrived from Tipperary Station.

She was paired with Mana and produced 4 calves:

Unamed (born/died late 2013)
Kibibi (born 11/09/2014)
Kendi (born 15/07/2017)
Kani (born 15/04/2020)


Does anyone have any information on the birth/death dates of Toby, Mumsy, Lindy, Billy and Ollie? I’ve found out Billy and Mumsy were the parents of Brutus (1965) the former male at Adelaide. This would mean both were at least born in the late 50’s. It’s likely Billy died soon after his arrival to Dubbo as he would’ve been at least in his late 30’s at the time.


Other interesting information from the paper:
There was a recommendation to breed Happy and Rumbin once again in 2006, alongside recommendations for the pairing of Harry with both Primrose and Brindabella. The paper also mentioned Crocodylus Park and Monarto were also interested in acquiring Hippos at the time, the latter apparently still are.

 

[Zoofan15]

Taronga Western Plains Zoo Hippo History:
(from a regional online paper)

In 1976 Dubbo received 1.2 Hippos:

1.0 Toby
0.1 Suzie (born 26/03/1970) died 28/06/2016
0.1 Mumsy.

A further male 1.0 Ollie arrived in 1979.

In 1989, 0.1 Rumbin (1986) arrived from Adelaide. She died on the 04/10/2011.

In 1992 Taronga sent its last Hippos, 1.0 Billy and 0.1 Lindy to Dubbo.

Suzie produced 8 calves in total (5 of which survived to adulthood):

(xToby)

1.0 Harold (born 07/03/1978) sent to Werribee 30/10/1984
0.1 Daisy (born 11/03/1982) sent to Tipperary 13/10/1989
1.0 Happy (born 24/12/1985) died 11/05/2018
Stillborn (born 19/02/1990) died 19/02/1990

(x Ollie)

Unamed (born 12/09/1993) died 12/09/1993
1.0 Mana (born 31/03/1996) died 22/06/2021
Unamed (born 14/08/1998) died 16/08/1998
0.1 Nile (born 15/05/1999)

Mumsy produced a single calf in 1978 with Toby:

Unamed (born 16/03/1978) died 06/05/1978

Lindy produced a single calf in 1993 with Billy:

1.0 Obay (born 19/02/1993) died 26/04/1993

Rumbin produced 4 calves with Happy:

0.1 Mafuta (born 18/03/1991) died 2010?
0.1 Kariba (born 17/06/1996) died 19/11/1996
Unamed (born 29/07/1998) died 16/08/1998
1.0 Timbuktu (born 24/05/1999) died 26/05/1999


In 2012, Cuddles (2002) arrived from Tipperary Station.

She was paired with Mana and produced 4 calves:

Unamed (born/died late 2013)
Kibibi (born 11/09/2014)
Kendi (born 15/07/2017)
Kani (born 15/04/2020)


Does anyone have any information on the birth/death dates of Toby, Mumsy, Lindy, Billy and Ollie? I’ve found out Billy and Mumsy were the parents of Brutus (1965) the former male at Adelaide. This would mean both were at least born in the late 50’s. It’s likely Billy died soon after his arrival to Dubbo as he would’ve been at least in his late 30’s at the time.


Other interesting information from the paper:
There was a recommendation to breed Happy and Rumbin once again in 2006, alongside recommendations for the pairing of Harry with both Primrose and Brindabella. The paper also mentioned Crocodylus Park and Monarto were also interested in acquiring Hippos at the time, the latter still are.

Thanks for uploading this @Jambo. I assume the info is from here: Common Hippopotamus Husbandry Guidelines - [PDF Document]

I used it to do a write up on Dubbo’s hippos in another thread on here a while back, but similarly couldn’t find details on Toby, Ollie etc. Their studbook numbers were 1121 and 1080 if that provides anyone with any context.

I’ve also just came across something else I’d forgotten - and that was Harold sired a son at Werribee, who was sent to Tipperary in 1989. His DOB was therefore 1985-1988 and he was almost certainly a full sibling of either Brindabella or Primrose. Both this bull and Daisy died during and shortly after their transit to Tipperary.

Brindabella’s mother’s studbook number was 1057 and Primrose’s mother’s studbook number 1012. Brindabella was born to Brutus and Suzie, who produced a total of 17 calves. They were also the parents of Rumbin.

Brutus/Albert (born 1965) and Suzie/Victoria (born 1967) were both born at Taronga Zoo and shared a sire (Billy). This bull also sired Susie (born 1970), who was later sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

 

[Jambo]

Thanks for uploading this @Jambo. I assume the info is from here: Common Hippopotamus Husbandry Guidelines - [PDF Document]

I used it to do a write up on Dubbo’s hippos in another thread on here a while back, but similarly couldn’t find details on Toby, Ollie etc. Their studbook numbers were 1121 and 1080 if that provides anyone with any context.

I’ve also just came across something else I’d forgotten - and that was Harold sired a son at Werribee, who was sent to Tipperary in 1989. His DOB was therefore 1985-1988 and he was almost certainly a full sibling of either Brindabella or Primrose. Both this bull and Daisy died during and shortly after their transit to Tipperary.

Brindabella’s mother’s studbook number was 1057 and Primrose’s mother’s studbook number 1012. Brindabella was born to Brutus and Suzie, who produced a total of 17 calves. They were also the parents of Rumbin.

Brutus/Albert (born 1965) and Suzie/Victoria (born 1967) were both born at Taronga Zoo and shared a sire. This bull also sired Susie (born 1970), who was later sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Yep, that was the paper.

There some details and photos on Billy, Lindy and Mumsy online but nothing regarding Toby and Ollie. Ollie sired Nile in 1999 so might’ve died soon after her birth as no further calves were born from him. Taronga apparently has/had an online animal record which began in 1985 and was/is apparently accessible to the public but I can’t find it anywhere.

That’s interesting re. Harry’s older son. Considering Brutus and Suzie didn’t have their first calf until the late 70’s, I think it’s likely Primrose was the full sister of the male calf. Since Werribee had limited space at the time it would’ve been no brainer to send him to Tipperary, who were interested in surplus hippos from around the region.

Apparently Brutus and Suzie also have a daughter in Singapore and descendants over there. If Brutus (1965), Suzie (1967), and the other Susie (1970) all shared the same sire, than it was Billy. At the the time they had at least two females Lindy and Mumsy so it’s possible Brutus may be a full sibling to Susie from Dubbo.

 

[Zoofan15]

Yep, that was the paper.

There some details and photos on Billy, Lindy and Mumsy online but nothing regarding Toby and Ollie. Ollie sired Nile in 1999 so might’ve died soon after her birth as no further calves were born from him. Taronga apparently has/had an online animal record which began in 1985 and was/is apparently accessible to the public but I can’t find it anywhere.

That’s interesting re. Harry’s older son. Considering Brutus and Suzie didn’t have their first calf until the late 70’s, I think it’s likely Primrose was the full sister of the male calf. Since Werribee had limited space at the time it would’ve been no brainer to send him to Tipperary, who were interested in surplus hippos from around the region.

Apparently Brutus and Suzie also have a daughter in Singapore and descendants over there. If Brutus (1965), Suzie (1967), and the other Susie (1970) all shared the same sire, than it was Billy. At the the time they had at least two females Lindy and Mumsy so it’s possible Brutus may be a full sibling to Susie from Dubbo.

I’d also be interested to know how Bonnie (mother of Faith) was related to the Australian population. These are Bonnie’s details:

Bonnie (F)
Born at Taronga Zoo 17/11/1957
Sent to Auckland Zoo 21/12/1966
Died at Auckland Zoo 31/05/1982

Her sire may have been Billy, who was noted as siring calves in the 1960’s and 1970’s at Taronga.

Another of Auckland Zoo’s founders, Nada, was also born at Taronga:

Nada (F)
Born at Taronga Zoo 01/01/1937
Sent to Auckland Zoo 13/03/1939
Died at Auckland Zoo 12/12/1965

Its appears Taronga imported unrelated founders following her export in 1939 (they were easily imported from Africa) as an online report in 2011 stated Cuddles was her only remaining relative in the region. With this in mind, the export of Solucky (1987) was a great loss to the region given her sire (Kabete) was also a founder.

Solucky bred with her half brother, Fonzee (Kabete x Faith), to produce Cuddles - who although less valuable than Solucky genetically, was no doubt retained on the basis of her younger age.

 

[Zorro]

I’d also be interested to know how Bonnie (mother of Faith) was related to the Australian population. These are Bonnie’s details:

Bonnie (F)
Born at Taronga Zoo 17/11/1957
Sent to Auckland Zoo 21/12/1966
Died at Auckland Zoo 31/05/1982

Her sire may have been Billy, who was noted as siring calves in the 1960’s and 1970’s at Taronga.

Another of Auckland Zoo’s founders, Nada, was also born at Taronga:

Nada (F)
Born at Taronga Zoo 01/01/1937
Sent to Auckland Zoo 13/03/1939
Died at Auckland Zoo 12/12/1965

Its appears Taronga imported unrelated founders following her export in 1939 (they were easily imported from Africa) as an online report in 2011 stated Cuddles was her only remaining relative in the region. With this in mind, the export of Solucky (1987) was a great loss to the region given her sire (Kabete) was also a founder.

Solucky bred with her half brother, Fonzee (Kabete x Faith), to produce Cuddles - who although less valuable than Solucky genetically, was no doubt retained on the basis of her younger age.

I was just thinking how much more dire the hippo situation would of been without a certain entertainment park had not obtained one of the Mareeba hippo’s before they were exported to Indonesia

 

[Zoofan15]

I was just thinking how much more dire the hippo situation would of been without a certain entertainment park had not obtained one of the Mareeba hippo’s before they were exported to Indonesia

It was also a blessing in disguise that Tipperary bred their Auckland Zoo imports, which ultimately gave the region a young breeding female they otherwise wouldn’t have had.

 

[Zoofan15]

Common Hippopotami History of Auckland Zoo (1923-2016)

Auckland Zoo’s first hippopotamus was a female named Bella. Bella was born 23/02/1921 at Melbourne Zoo to William and Rosamund. Bella arrived at Auckland Zoo 11/12/1923. Bella was joined by a male named Chaka in 1925.

Chaka and Bella produced six offspring together, most of which died in their first week of life. Their last offspring was a male named Dimazulu, who was born in 1937. Chaka died that same year and Dimazulu became the zoo’s new breeding male.

Chaka and Bella’s line ended with the death of their grandson, En Zed, in 1951 and the export of his son, Khama, in 1952.

Nada’s Line

Nada was imported from Taronga Zoo in 1939 as a mate for Dimazulu:

0.1 Nada
Born at Taronga Zoo 01/01/1937
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 13/03/1939
Died at Auckland Zoo 12/12/1965

Dimazulu and Nada produced two calves:

1.0 En Zed
Born at Auckland Zoo 25/04/1944
Died at Auckland Zoo 09/11/1951
Sire: Dimazulu

1.0 Unknown
Born at Auckland Zoo 01/01/1947
Fate Unknown
Sire: Dimazulu

After Dimazulu died in 1946; Nada was paired with her son, En Zed.

En Zed and Nada produced one calf:

1.0 Khama
Born at Auckland Zoo 02/06/1950
Sent to Calcutta Zoo 01/02/1952
Sire: En Zed

After Kharma was exported to Calcutta Zoo, a new male named Kabete was imported from Kenya to be paired with Nada:

1.0 Kabete
Born in Kenya 01/01/1953
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 01/10/1956
Died at Auckland Zoo 20/05/1993

Kabete and Nada produced three calves:

0.1 Snorkel
Born at Auckland Zoo 14/10/1959
Died at Auckland Zoo 30/09/2010
Sire: Kabete

0.1 Kiboko
Born at Auckland Zoo 28/08/1961
Died at Auckland Zoo 02/09/1970
Sire: Kabete

1.0 Scuba
Born at Auckland Zoo 26/01/1964
Died at Auckland Zoo 03/07/1980
Sire: Kabete

Nada’s daughter, Kiboko, produced three calves:

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 20/08/1967
Died at Auckland Zoo 20/08/1967
Sire: Kabete

0.0.1 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 11/06/1968
Died at Auckland Zoo 11/06/1968
Sire: Kabete

0.1 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 09/04/1970
Died at Auckland Zoo 09/04/1970
Sire: Kabete

Nada’s daughter, Snorkle, produced nine calves:

0.1 Hope
Born at Auckland Zoo 23/01/1973
Died at Auckland Zoo 06/05/1983
Sire: Scuba

0.1 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 31/01/1978
Died at Auckland Zoo 31/01/1978
Sire: Kabete

0.0.1 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 02/02/1985
Died at Auckland Zoo 02/02/1985
Sire: Kabete

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 30/04/1986
Died at Auckland Zoo 30/04/1986
Sire: Kabete

0.1 Solucky
Born at Auckland Zoo 13/03/1987
Sent to Tipperary Station 10/03/1988
Sire: Kabete

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 16/10/1988
Died at Auckland Zoo 18/10/1988
Sire: Kabete

0.1 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 20/02/1990
Died at Auckland Zoo 20/02/1990
Sire: Kabete

0.0.1 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 11/02/1991
Died at Auckland Zoo 11/02/1991
Sire: Kabete

0.0.1 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 01/09/1991
Died at Auckland Zoo 01/09/1991
Sire: Kabete

Snorkle’s daughter, Hope, produced five calves:

1.0 Chad
Born at Auckland Zoo 13/11/1979
Died at Auckland Zoo 19/11/1979
Sire: Kabete

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 11/10/1980
Died at Auckland Zoo 11/10/1980
Sire: Kabete

0.1 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 30/06/1981
Died at Auckland Zoo 30/06/1981
Sire: Kabete

0.1 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 23/03/1982
Died at Auckland Zoo 23/03/1982
Sire: Kabete

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 05/05/1983
Died at Auckland Zoo 05/05/1983
Sire: Kabete

Bonnie’s Line

Bonnie was imported from Taronga Zoo in 1966 as a new breeding female, following the death of Nada the previous year:

0.1 Bonnie
Born at Taronga Zoo 17/11/1957
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 21/12/1966
Died at Auckland Zoo 31/05/1982

Bonnie produced eight calves:

0.1 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 01/03/1968
Died at Auckland Zoo 04/03/1968
Sire: Kabete

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 28/03/1969
Died at Auckland Zoo 02/04/1969
Sire: Scuba

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 28/11/1969
Died at Auckland Zoo 29/11/1969
Sire: Scuba

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 16/05/1971
Died at Auckland Zoo 19/05/1971
Sire: Scuba

1.0 Wahanui
Born at Auckland Zoo 20/06/1972
Died at Auckland Zoo 18/10/1972
Sire: Kabete

0.0.1 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 17/06/1973
Died at Auckland Zoo 17/06/1973
Sire: Kabete

0.1 Faith
Born at Auckland Zoo 05/01/1975
Died at Auckland Zoo 16/08/2016
Sire: Kabete

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 12/11/1977
Died at Auckland Zoo 12/11/1977
Sire: Scuba

Bonnie’s daughter, Faith, produced fourteen calves:

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 28/02/1978
Died at Auckland Zoo 28/02/1978
Sire: Scuba

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 05/04/1979
Died at Auckland Zoo 06/04/1979
Sire: Scuba

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 27/03/1980
Died at Auckland Zoo 28/03/1980
Sire: Scuba

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 25/10/1981
Died at Auckland Zoo 25/10/1981
Sire: Kabete

1.0 Floyd
Born at Auckland Zoo 13/09/1982
Died at Auckland Zoo 23/12/1987
Sire: Kabete

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 26/08/1984
Died at Auckland Zoo 26/08/1984
Sire: Kabete

1.0 Fonzie
Born at Auckland Zoo 26/04/1986
Sent to Tipperary Station 10/03/1988
Sire: Kabete

0.0.1 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 08/07/1987
Died at Auckland Zoo 08/07/1987
Sire: Kabete

1.0 Fudge
Born at Auckland Zoo 16/03/1988
Died at Auckland Zoo 26/03/2016
Sire: Kabete

0.1 Fatima
Born at Auckland Zoo 16/03/1988
Died at Auckland Zoo 31/03/1988
Sire: Kabete

0.0.1 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 28/09/1989
Died at Auckland Zoo 28/09/1989
Sire: Kabete

0.0.1 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 28/09/1989
Died at Auckland Zoo 28/09/1989
Sire: Kabete

0.0.1 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 28/05/1990
Died at Auckland Zoo 28/05/1990
Sire: Kabete

0.0.1 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 17/03/1991
Died at Auckland Zoo 22/03/1991
Sire: Kabete

Auckland Zoo’s 93 year old association with hippos therefore ended in 2016 with the deaths of Faith and Fudge.

 

[Zoofan15]

2021 Summary

There were two main events within the region’s hippopotamus population in 2021:

Taronga Western Plains Zoo Death:

In June 2021, Taronga Western Plains Zoo announced the devastating news their Common hippopotamus bull, Mana, had died at the age 25 years. This was a huge blow to the region as he was the only adult male of his species and a successful breeding bull.

Mana’s death means the only remaining male in the region is his juvenile son, Kani (born April 2020).

Taronga Zoo Birth/Death:

In November 2021, Taronga Zoo announced the birth of a female Pygmy hippopotamus calf. This was unfortunately followed by an announcement in December that the calf had died.

The birth was significant given the region’s population of this species stands at five hippos and it had been the first birth in four years.

2022 Population List:

No population list will be posted for 2022, as there has only been one change since the posting of the 2021 list (the death of Mana).

The regional population stands at 1.9 Common hippopotamus and 3.2 Pygmy hippopotamus.

 

[Zoofan15]

Common Hippopotamus at Monarto Safari Park

Monarto Safari Park have announced plans to begin fundraising via a raffle for the construction of Common hippopotamus facilities.

They will presumably be looking to source cows from one of Werribee’s two pods of 0.2 and 0.3 cows as a starting point - with the long term goal of sourcing a bull.

Monarto Safari Park will be the third holder of this species in the region.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo:

0.1 Nile (15/05/1999) Ollie x Suzie
0.1 Cuddles (00/09/2002) Fonzie x Solucky
0.1 Kibibi (11/09/2014) Mana x Cuddles
0.1 Kendi (25/05/2017) Mana x Cuddles
1.0 Kani (15/04/2020) Mana x Cuddles

Werribee Open Range Zoo:

0.1 Primrose (01/12/1990) Harold x Unknown
0.1 Brindabella (09/12/1990) Harold x Unknown
0.1 Tulip (01/01/2003) Harold x Primrose
0.1 Lotus (28/03/2008) Harold x Primrose
0.1 Pansy (18/11/2013) Harold x Brindabella

Monarto Safari Park:

TBC
Dgjh

 

[Jambo]

Common Hippopotamus at Monarto Safari Park

Monarto Safari Park have announced plans to begin fundraising via a raffle for the construction of Common hippopotamus facilities.

They will presumably be looking to source cows from one of Werribee’s two pods of 0.2 and 0.3 cows as a starting point - with the long term goal of sourcing a bull.

Monarto Safari Park will be the third holder of this species in the region.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo:

0.1 Nile (15/05/1999) Ollie x Suzie
0.1 Cuddles (00/09/2002) Fonzie x Solucky
0.1 Kibibi (11/09/2014) Mana x Cuddles
0.1 Kendi (25/05/2017) Mana x Cuddles
1.0 Kani (15/04/2020) Mana x Cuddles

Werribee Open Range Zoo:

0.1 Primrose (01/12/1990) Harold x Unknown
0.1 Brindabella (09/12/1990) Harold x Unknown
0.1 Tulip (01/01/2003) Harold x Primrose
0.1 Lotus (28/03/2008) Harold x Primrose
0.1 Pansy (18/11/2013) Harold x Brindabella

Monarto Safari Park:

TBC
Dgjh

Monarto seem to be incredibly confident that they’ll be receiving hippos.

Maybe sisters Kibibi and Kendi will be sent to Monarto. Both sisters are still young and this could buy Monarto time to import a bull later on, which would probably be the offspring of their full brother Kani. That’s just a thought instead of receiving Brindabella and Pansy, who would both have to wait almost 5 or so years for breeding if they are sent there.

 

[Jambo]

There was some interesting information about Adelaide’s hippos from @WhistlingKite24 ‘s Adelaide Zoo historical species list from 1978.

information quoted below:
‘An Auckland-bred hippo arrived in January 1934 and was named Newsboy. He lived a long life and died in August 1977. In January 1975 a pair of hippos were purchased from Ashton’s Lion Safari, Bacchus March. The female arrived in calf and gave birth in April 1975 but the male calf died an hour later. There were two more unsuccessful calves; one in October 1976 and one in July 1977’

Newsboy was one of 6 offspring born to Auckland’s original pair, Chaka and Belle.

Considering Suzie had three unsurviving calves early on, that means Brindabella’s mother was quite young when she had her. She would’ve had to have been at the most, 11 years old, or possibly even younger.

 

[Zorro]

Monarto seem to be incredibly confident that they’ll be receiving hippos.

Maybe sisters Kibibi and Kendi will be sent to Monarto. Both sisters are still young and this could buy Monarto time to import a bull later on, which would probably be the offspring of their full brother Kani. That’s just a thought instead of receiving Brindabella and Pansy, who would both have to wait almost 5 or so years for breeding if they are sent there.

In my view the Hippo IRA needs to be pushed to the forefront with three open range zoos then holding them and possibly a few other zoos within the region that might be interested in obtaining them should stand the species in good stead in the long term if some imports are received in time

 

[Jambo]

In my view the Hippo IRA needs to be pushed to the forefront with three open range zoos then holding them and possibly a few other zoos within the region that might be interested in obtaining them should stand the species in good stead in the long term if some imports are received in time

Altina apparently are interested in them too.

It’s such a shame that such a common and well known species had declined to just being in two zoos within the region. Breeding Kani should be the main focus now for Dubbo. He will be of reproductive age within the next few years, and it’s important to breed him ASAP at least with his mother, Cuddles, before he should be sent to Werribee.