Australasian Hippo Population

[Jambo]

That’s correct. Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington have all been quite clear about their future plans, none of which involve hippopotamus. I also can’t foresee Orana being able to afford what would be a costly new exhibit, so therefore a Hippopotamus IRA would have no value at this point in time.

Beyond the regional zoos we agree could be in the frame to step forward, the other hope is that zoos like Adelaide will consider expanding their facilities in the future to hold a pair. Considering two breeding pairs will more than suffice the region for the next 2-3 decades at least, I struggle to see any other holder (bar Taronga, who might have an interest in acquiring a bull calf) justifying the expense to hold two non-breeding Pygmy hippopotamus.

Adelaide's masterplan only detailed a single exhibit for them; which made sense as they only held Obi at the time.

However I'm confident that with the IRA now passed, and the potential for breeding to return to the region that Adelaide will look at having two exhibits - even if it is to accommodate a non breeding pair.

Depending on current regional interest, there may be a need for this or there may not be. I would much rather have Pygmy Hippos at an array of different facilities rather than three/four crammed into two or three facilities.

 

[Swanson02]

Adelaide's masterplan only detailed a single exhibit for them; which made sense as they only held Obi at the time.

However I'm confident that with the IRA now passed, and the potential for breeding to return to the region that Adelaide will look at having two exhibits - even if it is to accommodate a non breeding pair.

Depending on current regional interest, there may be a need for this or there may not be. I would much rather have Pygmy Hippos at an array of different facilities rather than three/four crammed into two or three facilities.

I can confirm Adelaide want to breed with Obi just don't have any plans rn to import/acquire a female for him in the near future.

They will definitely construct a pair of exhibits when the new African Area begins

 

[Zoofan15]

I can confirm Adelaide want to breed with Obi just don't have any plans rn to import/acquire a female for him in the near future.

They will definitely construct a pair of exhibits when the new African Area begins

That’s great news. I suspect the plan is for them to acquire an Australian bred female calf following the import of a bull for Darling Downs (and hopefully a cow for Melbourne). The level of inbreeding will be comparatively negligible compared to what has been permitted in the past.

I similarly anticipate Taronga will obtain a bull calf in the future the same way to pair with Lololi.

 

[Jambo]

I can confirm Adelaide want to breed with Obi just don't have any plans rn to import/acquire a female for him in the near future.

They will definitely construct a pair of exhibits when the new African Area begins

That's good to hear - perhaps a first generation calf born to DDZ's pair could be sent across to pair with him. That would be the best pairing for him, rather than pairing him with a half sibling (offspring of his father at Melbourne).

I did note there was a lot of space unaccounted for within the masterplan designs so it would be possible to squeeze an additional exhibit in there without having to remove any other species.

 

[Zorro]

I don't think any New Zealand facilities are really interested at the moment. Alongside what @Zoofan15 mentioned about their not being an IHS for them; there would essentially need to be a large interest from a reasonable amount of facilities over there to push for one to be completed.

I can certainly see a lot of the regional zoos; like Australia, Altina, Mogo and Hunter Valley all being candidates for acquiring this species down the line. Preferably two or three additional holders would go a long way for the regional breeding program - taking into account their solitary nature and having two breeding pairs breeding roughly every six years or so, we could have a population double come another decade and a half (accounting for one or two exports).

Our overall population is also relatively young as well so all current individuals could very well still be around come 2040. We essentially need another few facilities to come on board to provide placement space for future calves. I imagine there's already facilities who've come out and stated they would be willing to accommodate any of those calves; otherwise the most we can accommodate with our current facilities is just a single breeding pair (still breeding at extended intervals).

I do realise NZ can't import Hippo currently my mentioning it was more to looking into the future for this species, a IRA can always be done. I could certainly see a possible few other zoos show some interest as well as the National zoo, Wildlife HQ and a couple of others too. The DDZ do certainly have the room to add extra yards/pens if they so wish for the future.

 

[Jambo]

I do realise NZ can't import Hippo currently my mentioning it was more to looking into the future for this species, a IRA can always be done. I could certainly see a possible few other zoos show some interest as well as the National zoo,Wildlife HQ and a couple of others too. The DDZ do certainly have the room to add extra yards/pens if they so wish for the future.

None of NZ's zoos have any interest in acquiring either species of hippos at the moment and to be completely honest, I don't see this changing anytime soon.

It might take breeding success to take off in Australia for them to perhaps consider either species of hippo yet again; but they would all have to be on the same page.

DDZ will need additional space as they're acquiring a bull to pair with Kamina, and are planning to breed. As of right now, we don't know of any holders that are willing to take on surplus offspring so any offspring bred may have to be accommodated at their birth facility.

 

[ElephasMaximus]

I do realise NZ can't import Hippo currently my mentioning it was more to looking into the future for this species, a IRA can always be done. I could certainly see a possible few other zoos show some interest as well as the National zoo, Wildlife HQ and a couple of others too. The DDZ do certainly have the room to add extra yards/pens if they so wish for the future.

Maybe once Australia starts breeding up more hippos NZ zoos might start to get interested in importing some. I agree with earlier posters that there's probably nothing on the horizon soon, but now that elephants are gone from the country, I could see NZ zoos long-term wanting to import another species of pachyderm to try and make up for the loss. I actually think that if Wellington Zoo wanted to add a new species of large mammal to their roster, they couldn't do better than pygmy hippos.

 

[Jambo]

I actually think that if Wellington Zoo wanted to add a new species of large mammal to their roster, they couldn't do better than pygmy hippos.

I agree. I feel like Wellington are especially lacking in the pachyderm category when you consider all three other 'major' zoos in NZ all have White Rhinos.

Pygmy Hippos would be quite suitable to Wellington's size and would also compliment the rest of their collection quite nicely.

 

[Zoofan15]

None of NZ's zoos have any interest in acquiring either species of hippos at the moment and to be completely honest, I don't see this changing anytime soon.

It might take breeding success to take off in Australia for them to perhaps consider either species of hippo yet again; but they would all have to be on the same page.

DDZ will need additional space as they're acquiring a bull to pair with Kamina, and are planning to breed. As of right now, we don't know of any holders that are willing to take on surplus offspring so any offspring bred may have to be accommodated at their birth facility.

Correct. At this point in time, the reality is none of New Zealand’s zoos have any intention of acquiring Pygmy hippopotamus. Auckland would have been the best bet had the idea for a Congo precinct taken off (in place of the elephants); but this has since been designated as an extension to the Savannah exhibits (namely rhino).

Maybe once Australia starts breeding up more hippos NZ zoos might start to get interested in importing some. I agree with earlier posters that there's probably nothing on the horizon soon, but now that elephants are gone from the country, I could see NZ zoos long-term wanting to import another species of pachyderm to try and make up for the loss. I actually think that if Wellington Zoo wanted to add a new species of large mammal to their roster, they couldn't do better than pygmy hippos.

I’m thinking climate wise, Wellington may not be the most suitable for Pygmy hippopotamus; which may additionally explain why Australian zoos are favouring them.

Space wise, they’re ideal for a city zoo.

 

[Jambo]

I’m thinking climate wise, Wellington may not be the most suitable for Pygmy hippopotamus; which may additionally explain why Australian zoos are favouring them.

They're kept in quite cold locations all over the world; especially in some places where the winters can get quite freezing.

Melbourne has heated barns and they also heat their pool to just over twenty degrees. I also believe they have a heated dug out area, giving Felix a warm place to lie in.

So it's ultimately do-able, it would just require a fair amount of investment!

 

[ElephasMaximus]

I agree. I feel like Wellington are especially lacking in the pachyderm category when you consider all three other 'major' zoos in NZ all have White Rhinos.

Pygmy Hippos would be quite suitable to Wellington's size and would also compliment the rest of their collection quite nicely.

As I kid I always lamented the fact that Wellington Zoo didn't have any pachyderms lol. I think if they did eventually decide to house pygmy hippos, the best locations on-site would be either:

1. The old Hunting Dog enclosures opposite the giraffe house. They could dig into the hillside to create a pool and heated house, and it would fit the African theme nicely.
2. The farmyard in Meet The Locals. I've always been baffled by how a zoo that has so little space has dedicated so much of its area to farm animals, especially when plenty of NZ Native species are easily available. Hippos wouldn't fit the theme of the area very well, but they could treat their enclosure as an extension of the rainforest exhibits at the zoo's entrance.

 

[Zoofan15]

As I kid I always lamented the fact that Wellington Zoo didn't have any pachyderms lol. I think if they did eventually decide to house pygmy hippos, the best locations on-site would be either:

1. The old Hunting Dog enclosures opposite the giraffe house. They could dig into the hillside to create a pool and heated house, and it would fit the African theme nicely.
2. The farmyard in Meet The Locals. I've always been baffled by how a zoo that has so little space has dedicated so much of its area to farm animals, especially when plenty of NZ Native species are easily available. Hippos wouldn't fit the theme of the area very well, but they could treat their enclosure as an extension of the rainforest exhibits at the zoo's entrance.

Wellington Zoo hasn’t had elephants since the passing of Kamala in 1983. She was arguably their most popular animal.

Yes, I agree the space opposite the giraffes is greatly under-utilised. It housed a bull nyala a few years ago, but currently sits empty. The adjacent exhibit for Capybara is looking similarly empty, but a new male was received last month and breeding will soon resume.

 

[Zorro]

They're kept in quite cold locations all over the world; especially in some places where the winters can get quite freezing.

Melbourne has heated barns and they also heat their pool to just over twenty degrees. I also believe they have a heated dug out area, giving Felix a warm place to lie in.

So it's ultimately do-able, it would just require a fair amount of investment!

Correct just look at them being kept in the UK hardly a warm climate

 

[Zoofan15]

They're kept in quite cold locations all over the world; especially in some places where the winters can get quite freezing.

Melbourne has heated barns and they also heat their pool to just over twenty degrees. I also believe they have a heated dug out area, giving Felix a warm place to lie in.

So it's ultimately do-able, it would just require a fair amount of investment!

Even London Zoo and Edinburgh Zoo hold Pygmy hippopotamus!

It can certainly be done, though it makes more sense to work with the climate the zoo falls in from a cost effectiveness perspective. Snow leopards were chosen for Wellington Zoo for this reason. Siberian tigers were another good fit, but phased out to align with the regional interest in Sumatran tigers - which saw Wellington Zoo breed two litters in 1996 and 2000, making a significant contribution to the breeding programme.

 

[Jambo]

Even London Zoo and Edinburgh Zoo hold Pygmy hippopotamus!

It can certainly be done, though it makes more sense to work with the climate the zoo falls in from a cost effectiveness perspective. Snow leopards were chosen for Wellington Zoo for this reason. Siberian tigers were another good fit, but phased out to align with the regional interest in Sumatran tigers - which saw Wellington Zoo breed two litters in 1996 and 2000, making a significant contribution to the breeding programme.

That would be a fair point if there was to be another species of hippo that lived in cold weather that would be a more suitable species to NZ's climate. But unfortunately there isn't.

I know Melbourne's winters can get as cold as NZ's, so Wellington will essentially have to do the same as what Melbourne does, just more year round to provide sufficient heating and warmth.

Ultimately if these NZ zoos want hippos they would need to work with what they have. It would be disappointing if they cited the 'weather' as the reason they didn't look at importing this species.

 

[Zorro]

That would be a fair point if there was to be another species of hippo that lived in cold weather; that would therefore be a more suitable species. But there isn't.

I know Melbourne's winters can get as cold as NZ's, so Wellington will essentially have to do the same as what Melbourne does, just more year round to provide sufficient heating and warmth.

Ultimately if these NZ zoos want hippos they would need to work with what they have. It would be disappointing if they cited the 'weather' as the reason they didn't look at importing this species.

That's very sound logic and quite correct!

 

[Zoofan15]

That would be a fair point if there was to be another species of hippo that lived in cold weather that would be a more suitable species to NZ's climate. But unfortunately there isn't.

I know Melbourne's winters can get as cold as NZ's, so Wellington will essentially have to do the same as what Melbourne does, just more year round to provide sufficient heating and warmth.

Ultimately if these NZ zoos want hippos they would need to work with what they have. It would be disappointing if they cited the 'weather' as the reason they didn't look at importing this species.

That’s the crux of the matter though - New Zealand zoos don’t want hippos full stop (Pygmy or Common).

Common hippopotamus have collapsed in the footsteps of elephants as perceived as unsuitable for city zoos; and while Pygmy hippopotamus offer an alternative size size, there’s countless other species New Zealand zoos can focus on without investing in costly infrastructure to provide them with filtered pools; and heated accommodation.

 

[Jambo]

That’s the crux of the matter though - New Zealand zoos don’t want hippos full stop (Pygmy or Common).

Common hippopotamus have collapsed in the footsteps of elephants as perceived as unsuitable for city zoos; and while Pygmy hippopotamus offer an alternative size size, there’s countless other species New Zealand zoos can focus on without investing in costly infrastructure to provide them with filtered pools; and heated accommodation.

Well yes, agree to disagree here; we were merely talking about IF New Zealand zoos wished to hold hippos. Realistically there's likely reasons why they're choosing not to as you mention, however if they chose to change that forethought they could do so quite easily.

Common Hippos would be suitable to both Orana and Hamilton, however I'm tempted to say that IF hippos were to return to NZ it would likely be Pygmy Hippos as they could be accommodated at most of the facilities there - space wise.

 

[Zoofan15]

Common Hippos would be suitable to both Orana and Hamilton, however I'm tempted to say that IF hippos were to return to NZ it would likely be Pygmy Hippos as they could be accommodated at most of the facilities there - space wise.

Common hippopotamus would indeed be an excellent fit for Orana Wildlife Park. A lack of funding prevents them from even being considered (in addition to the lack of an IRA); but had they received hippopotami (likely from Auckland Zoo) in the 1980’s as planned then it may have given a stronger incentive for them to push for an IHS.

That said, it’s equally possible that Orana would received females (e.g. Snorkel and Solucky) and proceeded to phase them out in the decades that followed due to cost. So many what ifs.

 

[Tam Skylonobi]

During my visit to Taronga Zoo, on April 24 2025, seeing how I've only been seeing Kambiri and Lololi and not Fergus, I've asked one of the keepers what had happened to him and I am sad to say that Fergus, has passed away. RIP Fergus.