Australasian Hippo Population

Jambo said:
If there are indeed a female surplus, then sending Obi to Taronga to breed (with an imported female) would make the most sense. I know Sydney Zoo had interest in holding both Common and Pygmy Hippos initially so perhaps they may be interested in coming on board as a non breeding holder to support the regional breeding program.

In the past forty or so years we've pretty much only had one facility breeding at a time so the region will ultimately have to get additional regional holders on board to support the program if they wish to have multiple facilities breeding this species (which is in the program's best interests).

I don't foresee this being an issue however considering they're a relatively easy species to hold and would do wonders popularity wise for the smaller regional zoos.
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Even one breeding pair of Pygmy hippopotamus could readily supply any upcoming holders, factoring in the surplus we already have in the region (not all five Pygmy hippopotamus are going to be paired with new imports).

Sydney Zoo would be ideal for Pygmy hippopotamus; while it wouldn’t be surprising to see Altina or Mogo acquire them either. They’re a popular species with the general public, with Moo Deng raising awareness/public interest internationally. This was very noticeable when I visited Taronga Zoo, with a few people in the sizeable crowd around the exhibit referencing Moo Deng. Hype fades, but the species became popular for a reason - as did other species like Fiona, Knut etc.

The requirements of Common hippopotamus (filtration infrastructure, space etc) limit their appeal to holders, but I would never be surprised if Australia Zoo gave consideration to them.
 
austrlain zoo gower said:
Regarding Adelaide Zoo, it is interesting as they stated on there website that they are actively looking for a female for obi along with in person
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That comment has been on Adelaide Zoo’s website since 2019, so I’d take it with a pinch of salt. When the comment was made, the Hippopotamus IRA wasn’t even on the horizon and the only un-paired female at the time remained at Darling Downs Zoo.

In the six years that have passed since then, Adelaide’s masterplan has been completely redeveloped, with entire exhibits scrapped. Like @Jambo says, the current masterplan indicates a single exhibit, so it’s probable Adelaide Zoo will remain a non-breeding holder - either retaining Obi; or swapping him out for a surplus female.
 
steveroberts said:
@Zorro needless comment Zorro tbh
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I wouldn't be so quick to say that Steve!

Whilst we can assume Adelaide don't intend to based on their masterplan, things can change. Now that the IRA has been passed there has been a lot of conversation within the region as a few other members on here have mentioned too. You might be surprised by what eventuates!
 
Jambo said:
I wouldn't be so quick to say that Steve!

Whilst we can assume Adelaide don't intend to based on their masterplan, things can change. Now that the IRA has been passed there has been a lot of conversation within the region as a few other members on here have mentioned too. You might be surprised by what eventuates!
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Correct
 
I wouldn't discredit @Zorro and @Jambo. The IRA has opened up new avenues which should be pursued. It would be a damn shame if they weren't.!! I can guarantee they're looking at acquiring more than just one or two hippos. Depends on availability however. Once this is clear, a more concrete plan will be put together.

Furthermore, the whole issue of only having one exhibit can easily be resolved. The exhibits haven't been built yet! If Adelaide go ahead and build a world class habitat dedicated to breeding this species, it would be difficult to deny them a breeding pair... they do have more leeway in this than you may believe.
 
Trua said:
I wouldn't discredit @Zorro and @Jambo. The IRA has opened up new avenues which should be pursued. It would be a damn shame if they weren't.!! I can guarantee they're looking at acquiring more than just one or two hippos. Depends on availability however. Once this is clear, a more concrete plan will be put together.

Furthermore, the whole issue of only having one exhibit can easily be resolved. The exhibits haven't been built yet! If Adelaide go ahead and build a world class habitat dedicated to breeding this species, it would be difficult to deny them a breeding pair... they do have more leeway in this than you may believe.
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Quite right, We need to learn from the mistakes from the past that having small populations of some species only leads to future problems, If a breeding bull dies (like what happened to WPZ River Hippo and Taronga zoos pygmy bull Hippo) its a major setback to the regions breeding aims.
There is no real reason as to why a number of our zoos can't form breeding pairs or even trios saying that only one or two zoos need to be breeding them is quite short sighted in the long term. I am more than sure that some of our regional zoos would hold the species if given half a chance. Not everything has to rotate around the major city zoos!
 
Zorro said:
Quite right, We need to learn from the mistakes from the past that having small populations of some species only leads to future problems, If a breeding bull dies (like what happened to WPZ River Hippo and Taronga zoos pygmy bull Hippo) its a major setback to the regions breeding aims.
There is no real reason as to why a number of our zoos can't form breeding pairs or even trios saying that only one or two zoos need to be breeding them is quite short sighted in the long term. I am more than sure that some of our regional zoos would hold the species if given half a chance. Not everything has to rotate around the major city zoos!
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The region has historically held a small population of Common hippopotamus due to the difficulty in placing offspring. This goes back to the early 1990’s when Auckland Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo both ceased breeding due to being at capacity; and there being no demand for their offspring. Auckland Zoo sent 1.1 to a private holder in 1988, suggesting the lack of interest in the 1990’s wasn’t limited to the region’s main zoos.

There were six Common hippopotamus holders in 1991. There are now three and all of them are open range zoos with the finances to support holding this species (Common hippopotamus are expensive). Only Sydney Zoo has publicly expressed an interest in holding them during the last decade.

The death of Kani the Common hippopotamus especially was a major blow to the breeding programme; but first and foremost due to him being the only bull and there being no option at the time to import the species. Importing may not be easy, but it’s now a viable option and one that can be taken in the present and future to rejuvenate the regional population. Case in point, Werribee are importing a bull this year and resuming breeding.

I would be thrilled to see additional Pygmy hippopotamus holders come on board and the population double or even triple; but realistically, we need to acknowledge capacity will be the limiting factor to breeding. This species doesn’t live in social groups or even pairs and so to hold pairs or trios would require the corresponding number of exhibits. I struggle to see any facility justifying the expense of doing so if they know there’s little to no hope of breeding recommendations being issued. The opportunity to breed and have a cute calf that draws the crowds is an incentive. Holding three adults in three exhibits that may only sporadically receive a breeding recommendation (or not at all) isn’t going to be appealing to anyone whose goal is to be financially efficient in running a zoo.
 
Jambo said:
I wouldn't be so quick to say that Steve!

Whilst we can assume Adelaide don't intend to based on their masterplan, things can change. Now that the IRA has been passed there has been a lot of conversation within the region as a few other members on here have mentioned too. You might be surprised by what eventuates!
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Fair enough Jambo. Was referring to latter part of the post was what was commenting on. But doesnt matter, moving on. You make really good points with what Adelaide etc might do. I agree with Zoofan15 about the realistic limitations that might mean a smaller import number overall than we all would wish for. But like you and Trua say there will be some other zoos very much likely to come on board if only a few (hope am personally proven wrong and is more than a just few other institution's) and we get not only a thriving but an abundant population surge of both Hippo species in the region. Exciting times ahead either way am certain.
 
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Zoofan15 said:
The region has historically held a small population of Common hippopotamus due to the difficulty in placing offspring. This goes back to the early 1990’s when Auckland Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo both ceased breeding due to being at capacity; and there being no demand for their offspring. Auckland Zoo sent 1.1 to a private holder in 1988, suggesting the lack of interest in the 1990’s wasn’t limited to the region’s main zoos.

There were six Common hippopotamus holders in 1991. There are now three and all of them are open range zoos with the finances to support holding this species (Common hippopotamus are expensive). Only Sydney Zoo has publicly expressed an interest in holding them during the last decade.

The death of Kani the Common hippopotamus especially was a major blow to the breeding programme; but first and foremost due to him being the only bull and there being no option at the time to import the species. Importing may not be easy, but it’s now a viable option and one that can be taken in the present and future to rejuvenate the regional population. Case in point, Werribee are importing a bull this year and resuming breeding.

I would be thrilled to see additional Pygmy hippopotamus holders come on board and the population double or even triple; but realistically, we need to acknowledge capacity will be the limiting factor to breeding. This species doesn’t live in social groups or even pairs and so to hold pairs or trios would require the corresponding number of exhibits. I struggle to see any facility justifying the expense of doing so if they know there’s little to no hope of breeding recommendations being issued. The opportunity to breed and have a cute calf that draws the crowds is an incentive. Holding three adults in three exhibits that may only sporadically receive a breeding recommendation (or not at all) isn’t going to be appealing to anyone whose goal is to be financially efficient in running a zoo.
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Absolutely agree.

Hopefully the new IRA will re-invigorate both breeding programs and lead to a few new potential holders...that should be the goal. And I would be very surprised if we didn't see a few additional holders come on board, especially on the Pygmy Hippo side of things as I've stated previously.

There is also the issue of surplus. No outside regions are really in huge need of new genetics so exports are virtually out of question. Case in point, Cairns had to off load there last two hippos to a facility in Indonesia a decade ago. The global population still remains in fairly the same shape; so there would be very limited demand for Australian bred hippos. Which means we have to ensure we can accommodate our calves born.

We also have to consider that back in the 80's, there were only a limited amount of facilities that could financially and realistically hold hippos. Compare that to today, where we have a wealth of regional, privately owned zoos rising the ranks that could absolutely afford to acquire hippos now.

Ultimately the number of holders will determine the direction of both breeding programs going forward. Ie. If no additional holders join the program, the program will likely remain as you say with only one or two breeding pairs. However ideally, you'd want more than a single breeding pair to operate a stable breeding program. Keep in mind both species programs don't operate as extensions to other programs like other species do so any breeding is effectively operated just on a regional level.
 
Jambo said:
Absolutely agree.

Hopefully the new IRA will re-invigorate both breeding programs and lead to a few new potential holders...that should be the goal. And I would be very surprised if we didn't see a few additional holders come on board, especially on the Pygmy Hippo side of things as I've stated previously.

There is also the issue of surplus. No outside regions are really in huge need of new genetics so exports are virtually out of question. Case in point, Cairns had to off load there last two hippos to a facility in Indonesia a decade ago. The global population still remains in fairly the same shape; so there would be very limited demand for Australian bred hippos. Which means we have to ensure we can accommodate our calves born.

We also have to consider that back in the 80's, there were only a limited amount of facilities that could financially and realistically hold hippos. Compare that to today, where we have a wealth of regional, privately owned zoos rising the ranks that could absolutely afford to acquire hippos now.

Ultimately the number of holders will determine the direction of both breeding programs going forward. Ie. If no additional holders join the program, the program will likely remain as you say with only one or two breeding pairs. However ideally, you'd want more than a single breeding pair to operate a stable breeding program. Keep in mind both species programs don't operate as extensions to other programs like other species do so any breeding is effectively operated just on a regional level.
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You absolutely nailed it with your logic
 
Jambo said:
Absolutely agree.

Hopefully the new IRA will re-invigorate both breeding programs and lead to a few new potential holders...that should be the goal. And I would be very surprised if we didn't see a few additional holders come on board, especially on the Pygmy Hippo side of things as I've stated previously.

There is also the issue of surplus. No outside regions are really in huge need of new genetics so exports are virtually out of question. Case in point, Cairns had to off load there last two hippos to a facility in Indonesia a decade ago. The global population still remains in fairly the same shape; so there would be very limited demand for Australian bred hippos. Which means we have to ensure we can accommodate our calves born.

We also have to consider that back in the 80's, there were only a limited amount of facilities that could financially and realistically hold hippos. Compare that to today, where we have a wealth of regional, privately owned zoos rising the ranks that could absolutely afford to acquire hippos now.

Ultimately the number of holders will determine the direction of both breeding programs going forward. Ie. If no additional holders join the program, the program will likely remain as you say with only one or two breeding pairs. However ideally, you'd want more than a single breeding pair to operate a stable breeding program. Keep in mind both species programs don't operate as extensions to other programs like other species do so any breeding is effectively operated just on a regional level.
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Well explained. You bring up very valid points to a great degree. On the right track Jambo!
 
Jaiden said:
Hi I was just wondering does anyone see Perth zoo getting Pygmy hippopotamus?
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Never say never! They’re not featured in the masterplan, but that was published before the Hippopotamus IRA provided hope of fresh imports, so it’s entirely possible that Perth could give consideration to Pygmy hippopotamus.

Perth historically held Common hippopotamus, which were phased out in part due to space constraints.
 
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Zoofan15 said:
Never say never! They’re not featured in the masterplan, but that was published before the Hippopotamus IRA provided hope of fresh imports, so it’s entirely possible that Perth could give consideration to Pygmy hippopotamus.

Perth historically held Common hippopotamus, which were phased out in part due to space constraints.
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Good point man.

There was also Penny 0.1 the Pygmy hippo (wild born & captured) who lived at Perth Zoo from December 1937 until she died there in April 1980; (based on the old 1975 map of the zoo I think for her last years at the zoo she was the only hippopotamus still there, and was the last hippo to date kept at PZ). Don't think she ever had contact with any other member of her species for the 42 (and a 1/3) years she lived at the zoo. Believe she had one of the longest lifespans of Pygmy hippos (at least 43 years years old) still one of the longest lived of her conspecifics' longevity comparitive to date
 
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steveroberts said:
Good point man.

There was also Penny 0.1 the Pygmy hippo at Perth Zoo from December 1937 (wild born and caught) until she died there in April 1980; based on the old 1975 map of the zoo I think for her last years at the zoo she was the only hippopotamus still there and was the last hippo to date kept at PZ. Don't think she ever had contact with any other member of her species for the 42 years she lived at the zoo. Believe she had one of the longest lifespans of Pygmy hippos thats still considerable in contemporary longevity comparisons.
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That’s a very impressive lifespan!

That would indeed be a regional record, I believe followed by:

0.1 Katrina (1973-2012) - 39 years
0.1 Cleo (1968-2005) - 37 years
0.1 Janice (1977-2012) - 35 years
0.1 Petre (1984-2016) - 32 years
1.0 Timmy (1980-2011) - 31 years
 
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