Australasian Hippo Population

[Zoofan15]

Kani (2020-2023)

I’ve received the devastating news that Kani passed away a few months ago at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. He was three years old.

The death of any young animal is sad; but from a pragmatic perspective, Kani was the region’s only bull. While we await the Hippopotamus IRA, he represented the only opportunity to breed more calves.

Apparently, prior to his death, the plan was for Kani to transfer to Werribee Open Range Zoo to breed. They have three exhibits and could have facilitated the breeding of at least one of their cows.

My thoughts are with his keepers at Dubbo, who will no doubt be feeling his loss (as are we).

With the regional population now reduced to nine cows, the Hippopotamus IRA can’t come soon enough.

 

[Jambo]

Kani (2020-2023)

I’ve received the devastating news that Kani passed away a few months ago at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. He was three years old.

The death of any young animal is sad; but from a pragmatic perspective, Kani was the region’s only bull. While we await the Hippopotamus IRA, he represented the only opportunity to breed more calves.

Apparently, prior to his death, the plan was for Kani to transfer to Werribee Open Range Zoo to breed. They have three exhibits and could have facilitated the breeding of at least one of their cows.

My thoughts are with his keepers at Dubbo, who will no doubt be feeling his loss (as are we).

With the regional population now reduced to nine cows, the Hippopotamus IRA can’t come soon enough.

I'm lost for words - this is absolutely terrible news.

Hopefully there's progression with the IRA. If we want to see hippos in the region going forward, I guess they have no choice now but to pursue the IRA.

 

[Zoofan15]

I'm lost for words - this is absolutely terrible news.

Hopefully there's progression with the IRA. If we want to see hippos in the region going forward, I guess they have no choice now but to pursue the IRA.

It was devastating to hear. I had high hopes for Kani establishing himself as the next breeding bull in years to come.

Going forward, the immediate need of each of the three facilities is to import a bull for breeding. Dubbo can manage three groupings, which could potentially see a bull housed with either Nile; or the mother and daughter trio (Cuddles, Kibibi and Kendi). This would allow the third exhibit space to accomodate a mother and newborn (prior to integration).

Werribee could similarly opt to split one of the cows from the herd (likely Lotus, being the youngest); or attempt reintegration once the calf is several months old to the other cows.

 

[Jambo]

It was devastating to hear. I had high hopes for Kani establishing himself as the next breeding bull in years to come.

Going forward, the immediate need of each of the three facilities is to import a bull for breeding. Dubbo can manage three groupings, which could potentially see a bull housed with either Nile; or the mother and daughter trio (Cuddles, Kibibi and Kendi). This would allow the third exhibit space to accomodate a mother and newborn (prior to integration).

Werribee could similarly opt to split one of the cows from the herd (likely Lotus, being the youngest); or attempt reintegration once the calf is several months old to the other cows.

It did make sense to hear that the plan was to send Kani to Werribee. Obviously the departure of Brindabella and Pansy was probably foreplanned with this in mind, as it would've allowed space for Kani and the separation of one the cows (probably Lotus as you say) for breeding.

At this point,there's probably limited space for cows, but if there was to be an import - bulls are needed! Three bulls for each of the open range facilities will certainly help kick things off the ground again.

 

[Zoofan15]

It did make sense to hear that the plan was to send Kani to Werribee. Obviously the departure of Brindabella and Pansy was probably foreplanned with this in mind, as it would've allowed space for Kani and the separation of one the cows (probably Lotus as you say) for breeding.

At this point,there's probably limited space for cows, but if there was to be an import - bulls are needed! Three bulls for each of the open range facilities will certainly help kick things off the ground again.

Monarto’s main focus is on providing a home for the elephants; as well as planning for the Southern white rhinoceros import, so it’s reasonable to assume they were happy for Werribee to take priority in receiving Kani for breeding. Additionally, Werribee’s cows are (collectively) older than Monarto, who have a 10 year old in their pair.

I feel like Lotus (2008) would have been the obvious choice as there’s just over a decade between Primrose (1990) and Tulip (2003), which isn’t a huge age gap in the whole scheme of things. They could have potentially been retired off, with breeding efforts focussed on the younger cow.

 

[Zorro]

This is indeed very bad news for Hippos in the region. This high lights why spare bulls are worth having around within the region not just with Hippos but rhinos and elephants as well. I have seen breeding herds in some overseas zoos collapse because of the breeding bull dies with no back up around, I hope we see some movement regarding importation in 2024 or we are in big trouble.
Just my own view but I would like to see at least 3 bulls import asap!

 

[Zorro]

Importing three bulls is definitely the way to go. Long term, some additional cow lines would be advantageous, but logistically this will be harder to manage given the current exhibit set ups.

Not all hippos have to be on show, new hippos could be rotated with enough off exhibit yards like the new Monarto setup.

 

[Zoofan15]

Not all hippos have to be on show, new hippos could be rotated with enough off exhibit yards like the new Monarto setup.

It would be good to see this approach, but zoos have to weigh up how much they want to invest in accomodating animals that won’t bring a tangible benefit to the zoo. Five hippos on display will bring in the same number of visitors as 10 (with five off display).

 

[Zorro]

It would be good to see this approach, but zoos have to weigh up how much they want to invest in accomodating animals that won’t bring a tangible benefit to the zoo. Five hippos on display will bring in the same number of visitors as 10 (with five off display).

I believe you are not understanding my point, the point being the current situation of only have 9 females in the whole region and no bulls, since most of what is left is more or less inbred more unrelated bloodlines need to be imported not to mention at least having 3 bulls, its not all about having animals to be on show for the public its about having enough within the region to never be in the same situations we are in right now!

 

[Jambo]

Not all hippos have to be on show, new hippos could be rotated with enough off exhibit yards like the new Monarto setup.

Whilst this may be accommodating at the new Monarto complex, it certainly can't be done at Werribee or Dubbo. Both of their BTS facilities aren't suited to housing hippos there for extended periods.

The goal should be to acquire three bulls in the meantime and if there's the opportunity, potentially an additional cow to Monarto.

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe you are not understanding my point, the point being the current situation of only have 9 females in the whole region and no bulls, since most of what is left is more or less inbred more unrelated bloodlines need to be imported not to mention at least having 3 bulls, its not all about having animals to be on show for the public its about having enough within the region to never be in the same situations we are in right now!

I understand your point. I said in the post you’ve quoted that it’d be good to see this approach; but we need to be realistic. We have nine hippopotami across three facilities (which likely aren’t going anywhere anytime soon). If we want to see the import of cows (in addition to the bulls) - which for the record is I agree would be of benefit to the region, we need either A: The zoos involved to increase their holding capacity; or B) More facilities to come onboard. I’ve heard nothing to suggest either of these two things will be happening in the near future.

It’s also reasonable to assume the opportunity to import will be available long term. Though there’s no guarantees; there’s also nothing to suggest we have a one off window to import all the hippos we need to sustain the region long term.

 

[Zorro]

I understand your point. I said in the post you’ve quoted that it’d be good to see this approach; but we need to be realistic. We have nine hippopotami across three facilities (which likely aren’t going anywhere anytime soon). If we want to see the import of cows (in addition to the bulls) - which for the record is I agree would be of benefit to the region, we need either A: The zoos involved to increase their holding capacity; or B) More facilities to come onboard. I’ve heard nothing to suggest either of these two things will be happening in the near future.

It’s also reasonable to assume the opportunity to import will be available long term. Though there’s no guarantees; there’s also nothing to suggest we have a one off window to import all the hippos we need to sustain the region long term.

No one is suggesting to do a one big import but we are in a bad situation that should have never have happened, new bloodlines are needed and larger numbers in case of unforeseen problems happening such as animals passing away, there needs to be a better plan to manage Hippos into the future and not just keep trying to scrape through with no room to spare!

 

[Jambo]

No one is suggesting to do a one big import but we are in a bad situation that should have never have happened, new bloodlines are needed and larger numbers in case of unforeseen problems happening such as animals passing away, there needs to be a better plan to manage Hippos into the future and not just keep trying to scrape through with no room to spare!

I think any hippos are better than none! The focus right now should be getting bulls into the country at the very least and getting calves on the ground. Only after that should the focus turn to maintaining a good genetic population with the introduction of new bloodlines from overseas.

 

[Zorro]

I think any hippos are better than none! The focus right now should be getting bulls into the country at the very least and getting calves on the ground. Only after that should the focus turn to maintaining a good genetic population with the introduction of new bloodlines from overseas.

Thats what I have been saying that why I stated about importing 3 bulls to start with?

 

[marmolady]

Kani (2020-2023)

I’ve received the devastating news that Kani passed away a few months ago at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. He was three years old.

The death of any young animal is sad; but from a pragmatic perspective, Kani was the region’s only bull. While we await the Hippopotamus IRA, he represented the only opportunity to breed more calves.

Apparently, prior to his death, the plan was for Kani to transfer to Werribee Open Range Zoo to breed. They have three exhibits and could have facilitated the breeding of at least one of their cows.

My thoughts are with his keepers at Dubbo, who will no doubt be feeling his loss (as are we).

With the regional population now reduced to nine cows, the Hippopotamus IRA can’t come soon enough.

How absolutely devastating, both for those close to him on a personal level, and for the region's hippopotamus population.

 

[Zoofan15]

How absolutely devastating, both for those close to him on a personal level, and for the region's hippopotamus population.

Had Kani survived to adulthood, he would have been the first male calf born in the 21st century to do so in the region.

The last male calf to survive to adulthood was Makoko, who was born at Adelaide Zoo in 1998. He died less than two weeks after his fifth birthday, but reached the milestone nonetheless.

 

[Jambo]

Had Kani survived to adulthood, he would have been the first male calf born in the 21st century to do so in the region.

The last male calf to survive to adulthood was Makoko, who was born at Adelaide Zoo in 1998. He died less than two weeks after his fifth birthday, but reached the milestone nonetheless.

It's crazy to think that Australia's only seen three bulls survive to adulthood in the last four or so decades; all born at Dubbo to Susie!

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

Kani (2020-2023)

I’ve received the devastating news that Kani passed away a few months ago at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. He was three years old.

The death of any young animal is sad; but from a pragmatic perspective, Kani was the region’s only bull. While we await the Hippopotamus IRA, he represented the only opportunity to breed more calves.

Apparently, prior to his death, the plan was for Kani to transfer to Werribee Open Range Zoo to breed. They have three exhibits and could have facilitated the breeding of at least one of their cows.

My thoughts are with his keepers at Dubbo, who will no doubt be feeling his loss (as are we).

With the regional population now reduced to nine cows, the Hippopotamus IRA can’t come soon enough.

Now this is awful news! Especially considering that Kani could have lasted another 40-50 years, and had many calves in that time. We must import! That is the last possible thing to do unless Australia wants to phase out Nile Hippos entirely, which I know they don't want to do.

 

[Zoofan15]

Now this is awful news! Especially considering that Kani could have lasted another 40-50 years, and had many calves in that time. We must import! That is the last possible thing to do unless Australia wants to phase out Nile Hippos entirely, which I know they don't want to do.

Given the implications (reducing the regional population to all females with no current option to import), this is arguably the biggest loss of the year and one we’re all reeling from.

I’m confident the three Australian zoos that hold them intend to continue with this species long term. Hopefully the Hippopotamus IRA won’t be too far away now and before the decade’s out, we’ll see hippopotamus calves born on Australian soil (or in Australian waters given this species typically gives birth underwater ).

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

Does anyone have a death date for Ollie (9/9/1988)? He was Mana's dad, and Kani's grandpa. I last heard of him sometime around 1998.