Longleat Safari & Adventure Park Longleat Safari Park 2025

[lintworm]

This thread is proving nothing if not contradictory-two posters allege there is a shortage of hippos available in Europe, then 2 others say there are multiple spares!

Some fact-straightening may be in order!

You could also see it as several people posting incorrect information, which is swiftly corrected....

Common hippo become sexually mature at 5-7 years of age, which means that that is the time they will at the last leave their parental zoo if they are not on birth control to reduce the risk of inbreeding (which past events in Antwerp and Emmen show can happen very quickly).

Edit: some more information, according to the 2012 studbook there have been 35 founders of the current hippo population, which is far more than a good number of other managed species.

Based on the list compiled by @Nile Hippo Expert in bold are the youngsters (approaching) that age which are still kept in a configuration where there is a risk of inbreeding (when no contraception is used, which will be the case in some zoos)


Whipsnade Wild Animal Park: 1.1.0

1.0 Hodor - 7/21/17 - Hoover x Lola

0.1 Lola - 12/27/03 - Ben x Nigna


Terra Natura SA: 2.2.0

1.0 Guitarra - 00/00/75 - unknown x unknown

0.1 Lolita - 10/5/99 - Macho Segundo x Bola

0.1 Popi - 9/18/2011 - Guitarra x Lolita

1.0 Lemon - 10/27/2018 - Guitarra x Lolita


Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno: 1.3.3

0.1 Pepa - 3/24/92 - Webbi x Kathi

1.0 Kavango - 9/17/02 - Albert x Jenny

0.1 Tanga - 8/13/12 - Pupo x Pepa

0.1 Taba - 6/15/14 - Kavango x Pepa

0.0.1 unnamed - 6/10/19 - Kavango x unknown

0.0.1 unnamed - 2/00/24 - unknown x unknown

1 more unknown ungendered animal


Parc d´Attraction et Animalier Le Pal: 2.1.0

1.0 Emile - 10/28/94 - Hardy x Lisa

0.1 Image - 9/27/04 - Pele x Marda

1.0 Pablo - 11/29/21 - Emile x Image

aire - 7/28/02 - Jeppe x Martine


Zoo African Safari Plaisance: 1.2.0

0.1 Legere - 10/14/03 - Moustique x Kara

1.0 Torreno - 5/22/05 - Macho Segundo x Susi

0.1 Nihahsah - 10/25/20 - Torreno x Legere


Zoo Parc de Beauval: 1.3.0

0.1 Kiwi - 7/1/10 - Gonzalo x Camilla

1.0 Kvido - 6/3/13 - Honza x Katka

0.1 Bolinhas - 11/16/14 - Pele x Bocas

0.1 Gloria - 6/7/20 - Kvido x Bolinhas


Zoosafari Fasano: 1.4.0

0.1 Maria - 9/29/97 - unnamed x unnamed

1.0 Rambo - 4/4/11 - Tito x Maria

0.1 Betty May - 5/31/14 - Tito x Maria

0.1 Linda - 5/9/16 - Rambo x Maria

0.1 Hippy - 10/7/18 - Rambo x Maria


Parco Faunistico la Cornelle: 2.1.0

1.0 Nino - 3/1/04 - Ede x Kathi

0.1 Oboe - 9/18/04 - Gonzalo x Camilla

1.0 Osvaldo - 10/30/16 - Nino x Oboe


Zoologicka zahrada Dvur Kralove: 1.5.1

1.0 Mike - 6/20/85 - Gino x Hermien

0.1 Hula - 9/14/11 - Hoover x Lola

0.1 Mona - 11/10/12 - Polo x Maren III

0.1 unnamed - 8/7/20 - Mike x Mona

0.1 unnamed - 12/00/21 - Mike x Mona

0.1 unnamed - 1/00/24 - Mike x Mona

0.0.1 unnamed - 8/23/24 - Mike x Hula


Miejski Ogrod Zoologiczny in Wroclaw: 1.3.0

0.1 Rumba - 5/21/95 - Knabbel x Samba

0.1 Salsa - 7/7/08 - Knabbel x Rumba

1.0 Valecek - 6/8/11 - Slavek x Maruska

0.1 Zumba - 5/21/16 - Valecek x Rumba


Copenhagen Zoo: 2.4.0

0.1 Mette - 8/30/87 - Joop x Tanja

0.1 Maren III - 9/25/99 - Emile x Louise

1.0 Komtu - 9/17/01 - Lasso x Rita

0.1 Yala - 11/24/16 - Komtu x Maren III

1.0 Kubu - 5/15/24 - Komtu x Maren III

0.1 Bakubung - 6/1/24 - Komtu x Mette

 

[cerperal]

There are at least 10 hippos that were born in Europe the past years that will need rehoming from their birth location soon. So plenty of options available and we'll just have to wait and see what the EEP coordinator comes up with.

There is no need to import hippos from other continents, the EEP is already struggling to find space for the young born in Europe (which has already let to exports to Asia in the recent past).

You are completely correct - for whatever reason my mind is still stuck 2-3 years ago when the subject of hippos at Longleat last came up and every possible transfer was either too young or too old

There is still a problem with bulls, though. The most eligible option is Hodor, but I categorically know moving him on isn't in ZSL's plans for the short term

Common hippo become sexually mature at 5-7 years of age

This is far younger than anything I've read previously, even with various sources giving different ages

 

[Jambo]

This is far younger than anything I've read previously, even with various sources giving different ages

In saying that, there's been cases with males conceiving earlier than this (as early as three in a case in New Zealand). Females sexually mature a little later, 5-7 years of age sounds about right as an average.

 

[Zoofan15]

In saying that, there's been cases with males conceiving earlier than this (as early as three in a case in New Zealand). Females sexually mature a little later, 5-7 years of age sounds about right as an average.

Females can reproduce just as young as males. Faith at Auckland Zoo delivered her first calf at the age of three years and one month of age. Looking at records, I agree 5-7 years appears a more common age for first parturition.

The bull you refer to was Tippi, who sired a calf to his mother at the age of three years at Cairns Wildlife Safari/Mareeba.

Australasian husbandry guidelines recommend bull Common hippopotamus are a minimum of five years of age before paired with an unrelated female for breeding (to negate risk of injury to the bull during the introduction). I would assume European guidelines offer similar advice, but am open to correction.

 

[cerperal]

In saying that, there's been cases with males conceiving earlier than this (as early as three in a case in New Zealand). Females sexually mature a little later, 5-7 years of age sounds about right as an average.

3 is an incredible outlier, though. The information from both the EEP logs and various zoos gives anything between 7 and 12 for males on average and an average of 9 with a bracket of 7 to 15 for females. The EEP isn't a great source for this because the majority of breeding females are several decades old at this point, but most were around 15 when they had their first calf and seemingly research suggests 10 is a lower boundary for safe gestation (in that the female is mature enough to both care for and presumably not crush their calf).

There's nothing theoretically preventing the zoo from acquiring a group of young females that are technically sexually mature but I highly doubt the EEP will condone the moves. If Longleat plans to acquire a young pod and wait a few years before attempting breeding then that is the most likely option for current European stock, but the emphasis on having a breeding pod and young hippos in the next few years doesn't make this likely.

Australasian husbandry guidelines recommend bull Common hippopotamus are a minimum of five years of age before paired with an unrelated female for breeding (to negate risk of injury to the bull during the introduction). I would assume European guidelines offer similar advice, but am open to correction.

I don't know the exact age the EEP recommends (if indeed it does) but it categorically recommends against breeding young bulls.

 

[Zoofan15]

3 is an incredible outlier, though. The information from both the EEP logs and various zoos gives anything between 7 and 12 for males on average and an average of 9 with a bracket of 7 to 15 for females. The EEP isn't a great source for this because the majority of breeding females are several decades old at this point, but most were around 15 when they had their first calf and seemingly research suggests 10 is a lower boundary for safe gestation (in that the female is mature enough to both care for and presumably not crush their calf).

There's nothing theoretically preventing the zoo from acquiring a group of young females that are technically sexually mature but I highly doubt the EEP will condone the moves. If Longleat plans to acquire a young pod and wait a few years before attempting breeding then that is the most likely option for current European stock, but the emphasis on having a breeding pod and young hippos in the next few years doesn't make this likely.


I don't know the exact age the EEP recommends (if indeed it does) but it categorically recommends against breeding young bulls.

I fully agree that delaying breeding of females until physically mature is preferable and offers the chance a better calf of survival. Isolation of the mother at the neonate stage is of course essential and a standard recommendation.

The cow in question (Faith) delivered her calf at the age of three years in 1978. Though the data offers a fascinating insight into the reproductive parameters of the species, husbandry and welfare guidelines have evolved immeasurably in the five decades that have followed. Throughout the 20th century, it was common for hippopotamus cows in Australasian zoos to deliver a calf in the same habitat as the bull (and thus infant mortality was high). Faith’s first surviving calf was born when she was seven years old. She was noted to have been fiercely protective of her offspring (against her exhibit mates), which was directly attributed to its survival. In addition to her maternal skills, it appears her size/maturity was of benefit compared to previous births.

 

[lintworm]

3 is an incredible outlier, though. The information from both the EEP logs and various zoos gives anything between 7 and 12 for males on average and an average of 9 with a bracket of 7 to 15 for females. The EEP isn't a great source for this because the majority of breeding females are several decades old at this point, but most were around 15 when they had their first calf and seemingly research suggests 10 is a lower boundary for safe gestation (in that the female is mature enough to both care for and presumably not crush their calf).

There's nothing theoretically preventing the zoo from acquiring a group of young females that are technically sexually mature but I highly doubt the EEP will condone the moves. If Longleat plans to acquire a young pod and wait a few years before attempting breeding then that is the most likely option for current European stock, but the emphasis on having a breeding pod and young hippos in the next few years doesn't make this likely.


I don't know the exact age the EEP recommends (if indeed it does) but it categorically recommends against breeding young bulls.

I think you are confusing the age at which animals actually conceive vs. the age they become fertile. The rather infamous hippo Emiel left Emmen at 4, but he left some presents as he had already impregnated the whole herd, including his mother. The literature is quite clear about how young hippos become fertile, but that is in the wild too a different age than when they conceive..

I think you are also confusing the role of the EEP, they will select the animals for Longleat so there is nothing for them to condone...

 

[Zorro]

There are at least 10 hippos that were born in Europe the past years that will need rehoming from their birth location soon. So plenty of options available and we'll just have to wait and see what the EEP coordinator comes up with.

There is no need to import hippos from other continents, the EEP is already struggling to find space for the young born in Europe (which has already let to exports to Asia in the recent past).

Australia could likely take a few we have three major open range zoos without a bull and all the cows are in someway related

 

[Pertinax]

0.1 Hippy - 10/7/18 - Rambo x Maria

This has to be about the most 'original' name for a Hippopotamus ever. Maybe she will be a contender for Longleat....

 

[Jambo]

Australia could likely take a few we have three major open range zoos without a bull and all the cows are in someway related

Werribee are indeed planning to acquire a bull this year, so I'd assume Europe is a likely region whereby the bull will be transferred from.

 

[Jambo]

I think you are also confusing the role of the EEP, they will select the animals for Longleat so there is nothing for them to condone...

From what I understand it's merely only recommendations the EEP give; and therefore, it's the zoos choice at times, ie. they may be given an array of individuals to select from. However when part of a designated regional breeding program - there's less leigh way with that.

 

[lintworm]

From what I understand it's merely only recommendations the EEP give; and therefore, it's the zoos choice at times, ie. they may be given an array of individuals to select from. However when part of a designated regional breeding program - there's less leigh way with that.

No not quite, to quote the EAZA manual:

For the benefit of the future viability of EAZA/EEP populations, all transfers of EEP animals (all individuals in the EEP population) must be arranged in full consultation with, and the agreement of, the EEP. Participants will not transfer an EEP animal without prior approval of the EEP

 

[Jambo]

No not quite, to quote the EAZA manual:

Yes, obviously the EEP will have to approve any decisions the zoos make but essentially this is a given as they're the ones giving out the recommendations in the first place. I acknowledge this may not be the case for most species/programs however.

 

[Yassa]

Most if not all EEPs work on the basis of cooperation and mutual agreements. So usually if a zoo says no to a certain recommendation, this is respected and another option found. Actually my understanding is that usually zoos are asked what they think about certain options and if a zoo disagree with something, there will never be a recommendation that says otherwise.

And the final decision is always to be made by the owner of the animal. If the owner acts against the EEP, that may have consequences, but the owner is the one who has the last word.

 

[Embu]

Werribee are indeed planning to acquire a bull this year, so I'd assume Europe is a likely region whereby the bull will be transferred from.

Are there enough females of breeding age in Australia that potentially could be swapped with a European bull/bulls? Chances of this happening are probably very slim as we know transferring a hippo to & from Australia isn't quite the same as transferring Koalas

 

[Osedax]

Are there enough females of breeding age in Australia that potentially could be swapped with a European bull/bulls? Chances of this happening are probably very slim as we know transferring a hippo to & from Australia isn't quite the same as transferring Koalas

There are nine females in Australia, one is blind, and I'm not sure how many are of breeding age.

 

[Jambo]

Most if not all EEPs work on the basis of cooperation and mutual agreements. So usually if a zoo says no to a certain recommendation, this is respected and another option found. Actually my understanding is that usually zoos are asked what they think about certain options and if a zoo disagree with something, there will never be a recommendation that says otherwise.

And the final decision is always to be made by the owner of the animal. If the owner acts against the EEP, that may have consequences, but the owner is the one who has the last word.

Thank you for confirming this - much of it I'd already heard was the case.

Are there enough females of breeding age in Australia that potentially could be swapped with a European bull/bulls? Chances of this happening are probably very slim as we know transferring a hippo to & from Australia isn't quite the same as transferring Koalas

Probably unlikely given Australia's small population; ie. they'd want to retain all the current cows for future breeding. Down the line however, once breeding kicks off again, I wouldn't rule it out.

 

[Zoofan15]

Are there enough females of breeding age in Australia that potentially could be swapped with a European bull/bulls? Chances of this happening are probably very slim as we know transferring a hippo to & from Australia isn't quite the same as transferring Koalas

There are nine females in Australia, one is blind, and I'm not sure how many are of breeding age.

Thank you for confirming this - much of it I'd already heard was the case.

Probably unlikely given Australia's small population; ie. they'd want to retain all the current cows for future breeding. Down the line however, once breeding kicks off again, I wouldn't rule it out.

This is Australia’s current Common hippopotamus population:

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

Werribee Open Range Zoo:

0.1 Primrose (01/12/1990) Harold x Genevieve
0.1 Tulip (01/01/2003) Harold x Primrose
0.1 Lotus (28/03/2008) Harold x Primrose

Monarto Safari Park:

0.1 Brindabella (09/12/1990) Harold x Beatrice
0.1 Pansy (18/11/2013) Harold x Brindabella

Werribee will want to retain all three cows. It’s reasonable to expect one of them (probably Lotus) to be separated off from the other two for breeding with the incoming bull; with the other two remaining together in a non-breeding dyad long term.

Brindabella is getting on in years and Pansy is the future of Monarto’s breeding programme, so neither will be going anywhere. It might be some time before they receive a bull, so for now they provide numbers to the pod for want of a better word.

Nile has vision problems as @Osedax says and won’t be breeding. If any hippopotami were to be considered candidates for export it would be either Kibibi or Kendi; but I note that they and their mother descend from three founders unrelated to the other six cows and are Australia’s most genetically valuable cows. They would surely want to retain one for breeding; and one or even two as back up should that cow die.

 

[Springbok]

Some updates from Today's Visit:
-in the kinkajou exhibit, wooden panelling with circular holes have been installed on the window and the lights have been turned out.

-fam farmyard still closed for winter.

-in the former parrot area, steps up to a section of dirt and a shed have been put in place. Potentially a new enclosure?

 

[Springbok]

A north American porcupine has been born and is apparently up and about already! (Gender unspecified)