Australasian Hippo Population
- Thread starter Zoofan15
- Start date
Thanks, I reported this back in October 2024. Fergus was euthanised on human grounds due to on on-going illness.
It’s unfortunate to lose a Pygmy hippopotamus from our small population, but it’s encouraging to hear Darling Downs Zoo has plans to import a bull in the near future, which will hopefully assist efforts to rejuvenate the regional population.
Tam Skylonobi
Active Member
Thanks for letting me know about this as the keeper I asked told me he passed away 2 months ago and I wasn't able to find anything about his death since.
Its going to interesting to see how our zoos are going about how to claw their way back from a very dire situation of both with the River Hippos and the much rarer Pygmy hippos, With no bull river hippo currently in the country and only a mere handful of Pygmy hippos in four zoos and all closely related to go forward with now at this point. With the importation banned of both species for 40+ years it is well over due for some new bloodlines to enter our current population of both species. As have mentioned before the export of both river and pygmys out of Australia from the Mareeba collection was a big mistake on the part of our major zoos especially more because of the import ban. (Thank you Seaworld for obtaining one cow that went to Dubbo and bred).
As far as we know the only a bull Pygmy hippo by the Darling Downs zoo (private zoo) is happening at this point along with a "expected" river hippo bull to be imported by Werribee open range zoo.
I personally find it some what disappointing that so far there appears no other known zoos that have shown or stated on any importations to date, I believe the Adelaide zoo could do better and import a female Pygmy especially since females are more common/easier than males to obtain, waiting on another zoo to breed "some time in the future" is a bit weak to my mind partially if that importer zoo does breed and it produces a male!.
I do hope that Monarto Safari park is scouting the captive zoo population currently looking for a new river hippo bull to kick start a new group with the two cows they obtained from Werribee zoo, They are capable of holding possibly the largest group in the country with the brand new holding set up and the sheer amount of space they have to work with. I believe our zoos can do better than what appears to be the case at this point, One "major" zoo (so far) importing one river hippo bull and one "private" zoo importing a Pygmy hippo bull!
The issue we have with the lack of holders is space. Take the Common Hippo situation for example - all three holding facilities combined, only about eight groups of hippos can be accommodated at most. Importing is a huge expenditure so there would be little point in each facility importing a bull that would have little breeding application.
Realistically, the new Werribee bull will be paired up with one of Werribee's girls, and any sons could then have breeding value at Dubbo or Monarto. Monarto could still easily acquire a bull themselves in the next five to ten years still if they wish.
With Pygmy Hippos at Adelaide, Adelaide are restricted at the moment with their facilities. Obi is only in a temporary enclosure that can't accommodate any additional pygmy hippos, so until the new complex is built, they can't receive any additional hippos. Taronga are in a similar boat. They can't acquire any additional individuals until they transfer one of their females out.
It’s a very exciting time for the region, with some long overdue imports about to take place.
Although inbred, many of the Common hippopotamus we have in the region descend from founders unrepresented in North America and Europe, so it’s possible there may even be some interest from these regions (especially Europe) in importing Australian bred hippopotami. This would be a valuable opportunity for Australia to offload what will soon become a surplus. They breed readily and we have several reproductive aged females, so it’ll only be a few years before reasonable steps are needed to be taken otherwise to restrict breeding (what essentially got the region into this situation in the first place with every holder being at capacity).
My main hope for a new holder (most likely of Pygmy hippopotamus) is Australia Zoo, who reportedly have interest; but additional holders (Altina, Mogo, Crocodylus etc) would be very much welcome.
I do agree, We are a long way from having a surplus since we currently don't even have a bull yet, LOL. Also males and females can be put together only for breeding so it's not like the number bred can't be controlled, breed as needed. Yes I could see a number of regional zoos that could well be interested in having them in the future for sure.
I’m assuming with Werribee acquiring a bull, two of the cows will be separated off as a non-breeding pair (likely Primrose and Tulip), with the younger cow given her own exhibit to focus on raising calves. Female calves could be retained to build up her pod; and the first male would presumably go to Monarto (Dubbo may also have interest in acquiring an Australian bred bull).
Whether the region would look at castrating first generation bull hippos long term is something else to consider. It would potentially allow them to remain in their natal pod; and unlike before, there’s the option to import more bulls from overseas should we arrive at a deficit again.
It could look something like this:
Founder bull (imported by Werribee) Intact
First generation bull 1 (sent to Monarto) Intact
First generation bull 2 (sent to Dubbo) Intact
First generation bull 3 (retained by Werribee) Castrated
That is if we do get three bulls born at Werribee!
If they do elect to breed with just one female (likely Lotus), I would be surprised if they allowed her to have more than three calves initially, with all three calves born within relatively natural birth intervals (three or so years). If the bull arrives this year, Werribee could potentially welcome a first calf come 2027.
Any female calves would likely be retained, with the bull calves having application at both Monarto and Dubbo. Depending on the shape of the regional population in a decades time, they could then consider breeding from her again - and any female calves of hers with a new bull.
Yeah, that’s worst case scenario (three bull calves). From Werribee’s perspective, cow calves would be preferable in order to build up a decent sized pod. The largest exhibit could comfortably house 4-5 cows, so it’s possible they’d breed until they reached the number of bulls required by the other zoos and then decide whether to keep breeding and castrate; or cease breeding.
Since it appears Monarto plan to acquire an Australian bred bull, Brindabella will be in her 40’s before their bull is five years old (recommended minimum age for breeding interactions). Unfortunately with that in mind, it’s likely they’d focus on breeding soley from Pansy, which is a shame as with the space Monarto have, they stand the best chance of having two cows successfully rearing calves in one pod.
My main hope for a new holder (most likely of Pygmy hippopotamus) is Australia Zoo, who reportedly have interest; but additional holders (Altina, Mogo, Crocodylus etc) would be very much welcome.
I believe one could add both the Sydney zoo with a possible interest in Pygmys and the National zoo with one or the other species!
I believe one could add both the Sydney zoo with a possible interest in Pygmys and the National zoo with one or the other species!
I too could see the National Zoo and Sydney Zoo having an interest in Pygmy hippopotamus. Pygmy hippopotamus are certainly a more realistic aspiration for the latter than their original plans to acquire Common hippopotamus.
It’s fortunate that the small size of the Pygmy hippopotamus makes them suitable for housing in city zoos, all of which have long phased out the housing of Common hippopotamus. Common hippopotamus are at least semi-sociable and can be held in small (often related) pods, which again is fortunate considering only three zoos (all open range) hold them at present - with there unlikely to be any drastic change to this arrangement.
I could really see Australia Zoo obtain them in the future "if" they were available here in Australia, I would be sure that they would never import any large mammal species apart from elephants, they do like large animals maybe because their size makes them imposing and impressive. They have the room and ready made dams already there also they have a simple diet which would probably be another plus to keeping them.
It's a shame a couple of the New Zealand zoos could not join in with holding the Pygmys along with Australian zoos!
I so wish New Zealand zoos would sort the IHS required to import hippos. Pygmy hippopotamus would have been the ideal species for the old Common hippopotamus exhibit (1999-2016) which has been repurposed for rhinoceros; and Auckland Zoo could now be planning something more imaginative for the elephant exhibit space - perhaps a decent sized Common hippopotamus exhibit (with accompanying flamingo aviary).
Had Orana Wildlife Park acquired Common hippopotamus as was the original plan, the New Zealand population could look very different. Auckland Zoo may have taken the opportunity to phase out at that point; but more likely, they would have continued to hold a small number, with Orana holding surplus from their pods - perhaps Snorkle and Solucky; or even a breeding pair such as Fonzee and Solucky, who were sent to a private holder because no zoo in the region wanted them.
Not one but two!
Werribee are planning to acquire not one, but TWO bulls from France before the years end.
These will be the first new hippos imported into the region in over 70 years! Certainly a long time coming.
From what I understand the plan is to retain both bulls (at least initially). Werribee have two empty enclosures where they can accommodate them.
Looking at the European Population list the following two bulls seem like the best candidates;
1.0 Pablo (2021) Emile x Image, Parc d´Attraction et Animalier Le Pal
1.0 Kiboko (2018) Masai x Babeth, Zoo de la Fleche
Both are still at their birth facilities, so ideal candidates for transfer. Kiboko is already sexually mature too, so can be thrust into a breeding situation straight away.
Aside from these two, the other bulls are all too old (I doubt Werribee would acquire a bull older than 20 or so), or in breeding/companionship situations. It'll be interesting to see whether my guesses end up right...
Werribee are planning to acquire not one, but TWO bulls from France before the years end.
These will be the first new hippos imported into the region in over 70 years! Certainly a long time coming.
From what I understand the plan is to retain both bulls (at least initially). Werribee have two empty enclosures where they can accommodate them.
Looking at the European Population list the following two bulls seem like the best candidates;
1.0 Pablo (2021) Emile x Image, Parc d´Attraction et Animalier Le Pal
1.0 Kiboko (2018) Masai x Babeth, Zoo de la Fleche
Both are still at their birth facilities, so ideal candidates for transfer. Kiboko is already sexually mature too, so can be thrust into a breeding situation straight away.
Aside from these two, the other bulls are all too old (I doubt Werribee would acquire a bull older than 20 or so), or in breeding/companionship situations. It'll be interesting to see whether my guesses end up right...
Fantastic news!
I wonder what werribes actual carrying capacity is. If it is those two bull. They have enough time to breed to one, the use the other bull to breed to any daughters.
Let's hope they follow through it would at least set the region up for continuation of the species again.
I wonder what werribes actual carrying capacity is. If it is those two bull. They have enough time to breed to one, the use the other bull to breed to any daughters.
Let's hope they follow through it would at least set the region up for continuation of the species again.
Werribee have three exhibits, so can accomodate at least three groupings. The three cows currently form a cohesive pod, but separation of mothers with neonate offspring will be required for the first few months before reintroduction to the pod can be attempted.
Monarto plan to acquire a bull long term, so I suspect one of these bulls could eventually go there, leaving behind daughters to breed with the other bull.
Werribee will essentially be at capacity group wise following the arrival of these two bulls.
They have three enclosures (one larger, two smaller). My assumption is the two bulls will initially occupy the two smaller exhibits - with the group of three girls in the larger exhibit.
I assume the intention with acquiring two bulls is to pair one with daughters of the other as you say. Werribee had this problem in their initial years, where their only hippos were essentially a father and his daughters. So it's good they've thought ahead this time around.
It’s great forward thinking and is surely reflective of a level of regional planning. Zoos Victoria aren’t just thinking about the here and now - a mindset of decades past that’s seen us wind up where we are now.
Both Werribee and Dubbo have been successful in build up mother/daughter tripods, but neither offspring were fully mature when the younger sibling was integrated. Werribee will have a much greater challenge attempting this with three adult females.
I did only see two hippos when I visited on the weekend, as did my friend a few weeks ago. I asked the keeper and they confirmed they still had all three girls, so I wonder whether one of the females has perhaps already been separated in preparation for being paired with one of the males.
It would be easiest space wise to just breed from one female at natural intervals; but if they want to build up numbers again regionally, allowing at least both of Primrose's daughters to breed might be the best option.