Australasian Hippo Population

[Zoofan15]

That would account for Harold's large number of offspring - 22 in total.

Premature deaths at Werribee:

On a side note, while a high mortality rate of neonates was seen across all facilities, Werribee apparently had a large number of premature deaths of juveniles, adolescents and prime aged adults.

Kijana (2001) was of course killed by Harold and Primrose at 15 months of age and then at least a further four adults are suspected to have died young:

0.1 Alice (1980)
0.1 Beatrice(1981)
0.1 Leopolda (1989)
1.0 Makoko (1996)

 

[Jambo]

That would account for Harold's large number of offspring - 22 in total.

Premature deaths at Werribee:

On a side note, while a high mortality rate of neonates was seen across all facilities, Werribee apparently had a large number of premature deaths of adolescents and prime aged adults.

Kijana (2001) was of course killed by Harold and Primrose at 15 months of age and then a further four adults are suspected to have died young:

0.1 Alice (1980)
0.1 Beatrice(1981)
0.1 Leopolda (1989)
1.0 Makoko (1996)

I was surprised to see Adelaide had sent so many of their calves to Werribee. Unfortunately the high mortality rate would've been due to Werribee only having two ponds, and most of the younger juveniles would've likely been killed by the older adults.

 

[Zoofan15]

I was surprised to see Adelaide had sent so many of their calves to Werribee. Unfortunately the high mortality rate would've been due to Werribee only having two ponds, and most of the younger juveniles would've likely been killed by the older adults.

It's a shame as Taronga seemingly managed multiple introductions of hippos over the years in a much smaller space and also mainted a reasonably high survival rate.

In addition to th meant neonates that died, Auckland Zoo lost two adults via aggressive encounters with conspecifics.

 

[Jambo]

Werribee Possible groupings at the time:

Alice was apparently the first hippo to arrive at Werribee in 1981! The trio at Melbourne were sent the following year (in 1982), with Beatrice joining them that same year.

It's reasonable to assume... Alice died prior to her younger sister's arrival in 1982.

This would've given Werribee four hippos to start; unknown male, Genevieve (1955), Henrietta (1961) and Beatrice (1981). The trio from Melbourne would've been displayed together; with Beatrice seperate.

Thus, it's reasonable to assume... The unknown male died prior within the first two years of his arrival at Werribee, as he was replaced by Harry (1978) in 1984; who arrived from Dubbo.

Harry would've thus been grouped with the Melbourne females; with Genevieve mothering a male born in 1985. There's a photo from 1986 showing three adult hippos swimming together which I found, which I believe to be Harry, Henrietta and Beatrice (as Genevieve would've been separated with her offspring).

In 1989, Beatrice mothered a male calf and was kept seperate in one of the ponds. That calf died later that year. That same year, the older male (born 1985) was sent to Tipperary Station. The grouping in the other pool would've been Harry, Genevieve and Henrietta.

In 1990, Leopolda arrived. She arrived days prior to the births of Brindabella and Primrose, so we can assume she replaced Henrietta who may died earlier that year, or in the late 80's.

We don't know how long Leopolda lived, but it's most likely she was grouped with her older sister, Beatrice and Brindabella, with Genevieve being grouped with Primrose.

Throughout the rest of the 90's we can assume many more calves were born to Beatrice, Genevieve and Leopolda. A high infanticide rate can be attributed to Werribee having to have more than one hippo in each pond (they had six hippos).

As of 2000 the groupings were:

1.0 Makoko (1996)
0.1 Primrose (1990)

0.1 Brindabella (1990)

1.0 Harry

 

[Zoofan15]

Werribee Possible groupings at the time:

Alice was apparently the first hippo to arrive at Werribee in 1981! The trio at Melbourne were sent the following year (in 1982), with Beatrice joining them that same year.

It's reasonable to assume... Alice died prior to her younger sister's arrival in 1982.

This would've given Werribee four hippos to start; unknown male, Genevieve (1955), Henrietta (1961) and Beatrice (1981). The trio from Melbourne would've been displayed together; with Beatrice seperate.

Thus, it's reasonable to assume... The unknown male died prior within the first two years of his arrival at Werribee, as he was replaced by Harry (1978) in 1984; who arrived from Dubbo.

Harry would've thus been grouped with the Melbourne females; with Genevieve mothering a male born in 1985. There's a photo from 1986 showing three adult hippos swimming together which I found, which I believe to be Harry, Henrietta and Beatrice (as Genevieve would've been separated with her offspring).

In 1989, Beatrice mothered a male calf and was kept seperate in one of the ponds. That calf died later that year. That same year, the older male (born 1985) was sent to Tipperary Station. The grouping in the other pool would've been Harry, Genevieve and Henrietta.

In 1990, Leopolda arrived. She arrived days prior to the births of Brindabella and Primrose, so we can assume she replaced Henrietta who may died earlier that year, or in the late 80's.

We don't know how long Leopolda lived, but it's most likely she was grouped with her older sister, Beatrice and Brindabella, with Genevieve being grouped with Primrose.

Throughout the rest of the 90's we can assume many more calves were born to Beatrice, Genevieve and Leopolda. A high infanticide rate can be attributed to Werribee having to have more than one hippo in each pond (they had six hippos).

As of 2000 the groupings were:

1.0 Makoko (1996)
0.1 Primrose (1990)

0.1 Brindabella (1990)

1.0 Harry

That all sounds likely. Ideally the management of a two exhibit facility with regards to breeding should allow for the housing of the new mother seperate and the bull housed with the other cow (who would conceive); with the cows swapping as the juvenile is old enough and the new calf is due to be born. A population exceeding 1.2 adults could be difficult to manage under this set up, which is clearly what Werribee found. Many of these births would have occured before contraception became available in the 1990's.

 

[Jambo]

Lindy

Now, I was rather fascinated by Lindy, as we initially believed she was born at Taronga in 1954. Mulitple articles reference this, and one detailing Bonnie's birth in 1957 talks about her being the first calf in three years (meaning a calf was born in 1954).

But after further research surrounding the year, 1954, I also realised there were multiple articles at the time talking about a baby hippo at Taronga. This wasn't in fact a baby hippo born at Taronga, but in fact the 12 month old female, Elizabeth, who was brought into Taronga and was labelled by the media as 'Taronga's baby hippo' - which would've surely confused everyone (the media and the public).

So, I don't think Lindy was one of the older females (Hilda/Henrietta); in fact she was the young, one year old female 'Elizabeth'.

 

[Zoofan15]

Lindy

Now, I was rather fascinated by Lindy, as we initially believed she was born at Taronga in 1954. Mulitple articles reference this, and one detailing Bonnie's birth in 1957 talks about her being the first calf in three years (meaning a calf was born in 1954).

But after further research surrounding the year, 1954, I also realised there were multiple articles at the time talking about a baby hippo at Taronga. This wasn't in fact a baby hippo born at Taronga, but in fact the 12 month old female, Elizabeth, who was brought into Taronga and was labelled by the media as 'Taronga's baby hippo' - which would've surely confused everyone (the media and the public).

So, I don't think Lindy was one of the older females (Hilda/Henrietta); in fact she was the young, one year old female 'Elizabeth'.

That's possible as the wording "the first calf in three years" would have been interpreted as referencing a previous birth and not the arrival of an infant hippopotamus. Her arrival was described as unusual given she was only a few months old and most were caught as young adults.

Having not bred for several years, the zoo would have been excited to acquire a calf.

That means Billy (1950) would have been seven years old upon the birth of his first calf in 1957.

 

[Jambo]

That's possible as the wording "the first calf in three years" would have been interpreted as referencing a previous birth and not the arrival of an infant hippopotamus. Her arrival was described as unusual given she was only a few months old and most were caught as young adults.

Having not bred for several years, the zoo would have been excited to acquire a calf.

That means Billy (1950) would have been seven years old upon the birth of his first calf in 1957.

Billy didn't sire a calf as young as we had expected. It does make sense too as he arrived in early 1954 and would've had to have bred almost immediately to have a calf by the end of the year.

That means Billy sired five successful calves:

Bonnie (1957)
Albert (1965)
Victoria (1967)
Suzie (1970)
Toby (1970's)

He has descendants through Bonnie (at Dubbo); Suzie and Toby (at Dubbo); and Albert and Victoria (at Werribee).

 

[Zoofan15]

Billy didn't sire a calf as young as we had expected. It does make sense too as he arrived in early 1954 and would've had to have bred almost immediately to have a calf by the end of the year.

That means Billy sired five successful calves:

Bonnie (1957)
Albert (1965)
Victoria (1967)
Suzie (1970)
Toby (1970's)

He has descendants through Bonnie (at Dubbo); Suzie and Toby (at Dubbo); and Albert and Victoria (at Werribee).

Taronga history:

There hasn't been as much as I hoped on Tierdetails, but this is what I found:

Billy and Lindy are confirmed as the parents of Victoia (1967) and Susie (1970).

Billy was estimated to be born 1948, though I read he was approximately four years old upon import, which would make his birth year 1950.

A cow of name unknown bred with Billy to produce Albert in 1965. It's noted the cow came from the USA and may be the same animal as Jessie. Her estimated DOB was 1948. I don't know who Jessie is, but Adelaide said this cow was called Mumsy. This confirms Mumsy was a founder.

Ollie's DOB was 09.09.1988. His parents were Suzie and Toby. No further details on Toby sadly, though we identified Billy as his sire.

 

[Jambo]

Taronga history:

There hasn't been as much as I hoped on Tierdetails, but this is what I found:

Billy and Lindy are confirmed as the parents of Victoia (1967) and Susie (1970).

Billy was estimated to be born 1948, though I read he was approximately four years old upon import, which would make his birth year 1950.

A cow of name unknown bred with Billy to produce Albert in 1965. It's noted the cow came from the USA and may be the same animal as Jessie. Her estimated DOB was 1948. I don't know who Jessie is, but Adelaide said this cow was called Mumsy. This confirms Mumsy was a founder.

Ollie's DOB was 09.09.1988. His parents were Suzie and Toby. No further details on Toby sadly, though we identified Billy as his sire.

Yeah I looked and they haven’t found much regarding Taronga and Werribee. I’ve emailed them so hopefully we get a response.

Billy was four at the time of arrival. I’m not sure where they got (1948) from, but we can be certain he was born around 1950.

That’s interesting. I had initially thought Mumsy was one of the imported females from Kenya (Hilda or Henrietta). I never knew Taronga imported a female hippo from the US though.

Toby can’t be a founder as Harry’s listed as inbred (meaning Toby was related to Suzie). I doubt they were full siblings, more so half siblings. There’s photos showing a young hippo from when the hippos first moved to Dubbo, and I believe this was Toby, who was around three or four years old, and the son of Mumsy.

 

[Zoofan15]

That’s interesting. I had initially thought Mumsy was one of the imported females from Kenya (Hilda or Henrietta). I never knew Taronga imported a female hippo from the US though.

Taronga Zoo imported a Pygmy hippopotamus from the USA in November 1954, so I’m wondering if they came in the same shipment. Similar to how Taronga imported Jaguars and Sumatran tigers in the same shipment in 1979.

The Pygmy hippopotamus was one half of the zoo’s first pair (a species they were wanting to acquire), so perhaps they took the opportunity to ship an additional female Common hippopotamus over while they were at it.

It may have also been shipped with the intention of transferring it to Melbourne. Melbourne hadn’t had a surviving hippopotamus calf in 21 years and may have hoped having more than one cow would increase their chances; then decided not to take her last minute - they had a non surviving calf born 1954; followed by a surviving calf in 1955.

 

[Zoofan15]

Handraising Common Hippopotamus at Adelaide Zoo

I found a note that the following hippopotami were hand raised at Adelaide Zoo:

0.1 Unnamed (13/07/1977) Died 23/07/1977
1.0 Makoko (12/02/1998) Transferred 27/06/1999 (Werribee)

The unnamed calf born in 1977 died at 10 days old. She was the second offspring of Albert and Victoria.

Makoko was the pair’s 15th calf and presumably planned. Female contraception was first used at Auckland in this species in the early 1990’s and you can tell by the artificial birth interval of five years (1991-1996) between Victoria’s 13th and 14th calf when it came in at Adelaide.

It wouldn’t surprise me if there were others at Adelaide who were hand-raised. There was only a 14 month gap between Alice (who survived) and the next calf, suggesting she may have been removed.

Other calves known to have survived (Beatrice, Rumbin and Leopolda) were followed by 27, 21 and 23 month gaps respectively - indicating they were mother raised.

Melbourne similarly handraised a female named Millie, who born at Melbourne Zoo t Henrietta 05/02/1969. She unfortunately died the same year.

 

[Jambo]

Taronga Zoo imported a Pygmy hippopotamus from the USA in November 1954, so I’m wondering if they came in the same shipment. Similar to how Taronga imported Jaguars and Sumatran tigers in the same shipment in 1979.

The Pygmy hippopotamus was one half of the zoo’s first pair (a species they were wanting to acquire), so perhaps they took the opportunity to ship an additional female Common hippopotamus over while they were at it.

It may have also been shipped with the intention of transferring it to Melbourne. Melbourne hadn’t had a surviving hippopotamus calf in 21 years and may have hoped having more than one cow would increase their chances; then decided not to take her last minute - they had a non surviving calf born 1954; followed by a surviving calf in 1955.

I've found no trace of a 'Jessie'- only Jessie the elephant.

Elizabeth was actually initially sold to a business man, who later ended up donating her to Taronga, where her capture mate, Billy was sent.

I've also found an article detailing the import of a female for Dizzie in 1946. It's unknown if she even made it to Taronga (the article detailed them coming to Taronga) - but she would've had to have died prior to 1950, when Taronga was only left with Dizzie. An article from 1950 talks about Dizzie being alone for a long time now, so i'm assuming this cow died during transport or soon after.

 

[Jambo]

Handraising Common Hippopotamus at Adelaide Zoo

I found a note that the following hippopotami were hand raised at Adelaide Zoo:

0.1 Unnamed (13/07/1977) Died 23/07/1977
1.0 Makoko (12/02/1998) Transferred 27/06/1999 (Werribee)

The unnamed calf born in 1977 died at 10 days old. She was the second offspring of Albert and Victoria.

Makoko was the pair’s 15th calf and presumably planned. Female contraception was first used at Auckland in this species in the early 1990’s and you can tell by the artificial birth interval of five years (1991-1996) between Victoria’s 13th and 14th calf when it came in at Adelaide.

It wouldn’t surprise me if there were others at Adelaide who were hand-raised. There was only a 14 month gap between Alice (who survived) and the next calf, suggesting she may have been removed.

Other calves known to have survived (Beatrice, Rumbin and Leopolda) were followed by 27, 21 and 23 month gaps respectively - indicating they were mother raised.

Melbourne similarly handraised a female named Millie, who born at Melbourne Zoo t Henrietta 05/02/1969. She unfortunately died the same year.

I'm assuming Makoko may have been sent to Werribee to live with his older sister- assuming she was alive at the time, and his niece. Since he was quite young, the move would've been for welfare purposes.

Millie was handraised at Melbourne, and although she unfortunately died; Melbourne keepers learnt a lot from this experience when hand raising Pygmy Hippo calves in the future.

 

[Zoofan15]

I'm assuming Makoko may have been sent to Werribee to live with his older sister- assuming she was alive at the time, and his niece. Since he was quite young, the move would've been for welfare purposes.

Millie was handraised at Melbourne, and although she unfortunately died; Melbourne keepers learnt a lot from this experience when hand raising Pygmy Hippo calves in the future.

It would have been important to introduce Makoko to his own kind for socialisation reasons (they didn’t want him to become too humanised), but given he was the same age as Kijana was when he was killed by Harold and Primrose, I hope Werribee had the sense to keep him seperate from the adults until he was at least two years old. If not, that could explain why he died so young!

Kabete found himself in a similar situation when he arrived at Auckland Zoo as a three year old in 1956. His companion was a pig until he was old enough to be introduced to Nada, who was a fully grown female. His first calf was born October 1959, indicating he probably wasn’t introduced until at least 1958.

 

[Jambo]

It would have been important to introduce Makoko to his own kind for socialisation reasons (they didn’t want him to become too humanised), but given he was the same age as Kijana was when he was killed by Harold and Primrose, I hope Werribee had the sense to keep him seperate from the adults until he was at least two years old. If not, that could explain why he died so young!

Kabete found himself in a similar situation when he arrived at Auckland Zoo as a three year old in 1956. His companion was a pig until he was old enough to be introduced to Nada, who was a fully grown female. His first calf was born October 1959, indicating he probably wasn’t introduced until at least 1958.

I believe that may have been his cause of death unfortunately. Although there was a male alive as of 2000, which we can assume to be him. This means he lived at Werribee for at least a year without having any issues. I'm assuming he was initially introduced to Beatrice and Primrose, and both females accepted him. Unfortunately I believe he was killed by Harry upon introductions at the end of 2000, to allow Harry to mate with the cows.

Yes, I remember reading an article about Kabete, who was initially named Herbie. He lived with that pig for quite a long time!

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe that may have been his cause of death unfortunately. Although there was a male alive as of 2000, which we can assume to be him. This means he lived at Werribee for at least a year without having any issues. I'm assuming he was initially introduced to Beatrice and Primrose, and both females accepted him. Unfortunately I believe he was killed by Harry upon introductions at the end of 2000, to allow Harry to mate with the cows.

Yes, I remember reading an article about Kabete, who was initially named Herbie. He lived with that pig for quite a long time!

I’m wondering if they were held in two groups - Harold and Brindabella and Makoko and Primrose. This would represent the intended breeding pairings given it would have been better to breed Makoko with Primrose.

The animosity between Primrose and Brindabella suggests they had lived apart for a long time (longer than the separation of Brindabella following Kijana’s birth), so I’d guess following Makoko’s death, Harold was paired with Primrose; while the pregnant Brindabella was isolated ahead of her birth.

I’m not sure how long Kabete and the pig coexisted. Bulls are mature and confrontational with other hippopotami (especially other bulls) by age five, so I’d assume by then - which wasn’t long before he impregnated Nada in early 1959.

 

[Jambo]

I’m wondering if they were held in two groups - Harold and Brindabella and Makoko and Primrose. This would represent the intended breeding pairings given it would have been better to breed Makoko with Primrose.

The animosity between Primrose and Brindabella suggests they had lived apart for a long time (longer than the separation of Brindabella following Kijana’s birth), so I’d guess following Makoko’s death, Harold was paired with Primrose; while the pregnant Brindabella was isolated ahead of her birth.

I’m not sure how long Kabete and the pig coexisted. Bulls are mature and confrontational with other hippopotami (especially other bulls) by age five, so I’d assume by then - which wasn’t long before he impregnated Nada in early 1959.

Initially those pairings would've made sense as Makoko is a full sibling of Brindabella. We can assume Makoko died in 2001; leading to the pairing of Harry then with Primrose, leading to her birth in 2002.

I agree, their rivalry indicates they had lived apart for quite some time. Since they had two ponds, it wouldn't be unreasonable to assume they lived in two groups: Beatrice, Brindabella, Leopalda ect. and Genevieve, Primrose ect; with Harry rotating between the groups.

 

[RhinoHippoElephantGiraffe]

Mumsy was probably born on June 1st, 1959, in Washington D.C (and would have been Arusha and Joe Smith's first calf). I think she was originally named "Jessie" when she lived in Washington D.C, then was renamed "Mumsy" when she was moved to an unknown location (probably Sydney) on May 15th, 1961. It also clearly states in both that they may be identical to each other. Mumsy only ever had one calf (Albert/Brutus in 1965), when she was not six yet, so she could have died as young as six years old.
Tierdetails
Tierdetails

 

[Zoofan15]

Mumsy was probably born on June 1st, 1959, in Washington D.C (and would have been Arusha and Joe Smith's first calf). I think she was originally named "Jessie" when she lived in Washington D.C, then was renamed "Mumsy" when she was moved to an unknown location (probably Sydney) on May 15th, 1961. It also clearly states in both that they may be identical to each other. Mumsy only ever had one calf (Albert/Brutus in 1965), when she was not six yet, so she could have died as young as six years old.
Tierdetails
Tierdetails

Thanks for finding that @RhinoHippoElephantGiraffe. You've solved a mystery thats been plaguing us for a while now. I notice that her file notes she was sent to a private facility from Taronga - probably a circus as they held hippopotami and Taronga sent chimpanzees to various circuses in that era.