Australasian Hippo Population

[Zoofan15]

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.

Albeit controversial, castration of bull calves could enable them to be retained long term within their natal pod. Dubbo and Monarto will require a maximum of a bull each and capacity will be reached very quickly if the intention is to house each bull calf produced separately upon reaching maturity.

Having two cows breeding concurrently would be exciting indeed. Werribee had Brindabella and Primrose born the same month in 1990; and Auckland Zoo saw Faith produce surviving calves a year either side of Snorkle producing Solucky in 1987.

 

[Tiger91]

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.

Oh let's not get ahead and think we are over that hurdle just yet. There been improvement shown, which is promising. But we are in many regards still in that same mindset.

 

[Zoofan15]

Oh let's not get ahead and think we are over that hurdle just yet. There been improvement shown, which is promising. But we are in many regards still in that same mindset.

Agreed, but Zoos Victoria importing two bull Common hippopotamus when they only need one indicates either a level of regional planning or at the very least, an awareness of the need for a contingency should the breeding bull die (as has sadly been the case in many scenarios).

It wasn’t long ago that Kani was earmarked for Werribee; and before that, Werribee’s breeding bull Harold died, leaving them without a bull as Dubbo were unable to spare their breeding bull.

 

[Zoofan15]

It would be interesting to see what Dubbo's holdings are. If they have been left the same. I could see them also acquiring an imported bull as well. As they had the ability to house a few hippos, certainly more than what they currently have. They did have multiple bulls at one point.

Dubbo currently have two pods of 0.1 (Nile) and 0.3 (Cuddles, Kibibi and Kendi). I believe they have the capacity to hold up to three groupings; but with the yards, could potentially hold four.

Two imported bulls are probably sufficient for a population this size (nine cows across three holders). Bulls calves are inevitable, so transferring them to facilities needing a bull is the logical way to proceed.

 

[Tiger91]

Dubbo currently have two pods of 0.1 (Nile) and 0.3 (Cuddles, Kibibi and Kendi). I believe they have the capacity to hold up to three groupings; but with the yards, could potentially hold four.

Two imported bulls are probably sufficient for a population this size (nine cows across three holders). Bulls calves are inevitable, so transferring them to facilities needing a bull is the logical way to proceed.

Of memory were western plains not going to hold two breeding bulls at one point?

It would be interesting to see how hippos go in bachelor groupings.
Monarto has a nice new facility and some rather large water holes with more than enough space to turn one into a bachelor herd without the worry of females being onsite.

 

[Jambo]

Of memory were western plains not going to hold two breeding bulls at one point?

It would be interesting to see how hippos go in bachelor groupings.
Monarto has a nice new facility and some rather large water holes with more than enough space to turn one into a bachelor herd without the worry of females being onsite.

They did have two bulls for quite some time (Happy and Mana). And have held multiple bulls even before that. Although in those cases, one of the bulls at least was kept with some of the cows.

Dubbo's overall grouping capacity should somewhat be similar to Werribee's.

Hippos don't live in bachelor groupings - they will fight. It's possible we'll perhaps eventually see some additional regional facilities come on board to hold surplus males.

 

[Zoofan15]

Of memory were western plains not going to hold two breeding bulls at one point?

It would be interesting to see how hippos go in bachelor groupings.
Monarto has a nice new facility and some rather large water holes with more than enough space to turn one into a bachelor herd without the worry of females being onsite.

Dubbo had two bulls at one stage - Happy and Mana.

Happy’s mate was Rumbin, however he was sterile in his final years. This is why Dubbo retained him instead of sending him to Werribee once Harry died (Mana was by then breeding with Cuddles).

Auckland Zoo successfully housed Kabete (mature bull) with his castrated son Fudge. He previously fought with his intact son.

 

[Tiger91]

They did have two bulls for quite some time (Happy and Mana). And have held multiple bulls even before that. Although in those cases, one of the bulls at least was kept with some of the cows.

Dubbo's overall grouping capacity should somewhat be similar to Werribee's.

Hippos don't live in bachelor groupings - they will fight.
It's possible we'll perhaps eventually see some additional regional facilities come on board to hold surplus males.

An interesting exhibit from the bus none the less!.

It will be interesting to see how the go about the new bulls and future breeding. Personally I think a third bull is warranted. Genetically we need another one either around the restarting of breeding or in a few years time. I can see both WPZ and Werribee wanting multiple bulls.

 

[Zoofan15]

An interesting exhibit from the bus none the less!.

It will be interesting to see how the go about the new bulls and future breeding. Personally I think a third bull is warranted. Genetically we need another one either around the restarting of breeding or in a few years time. I can see both WPZ and Werribee wanting multiple bulls.

My assumption is breeding from the initial import will produce a first generation bull that will then go to Monarto or Dubbo as the third breeding bull (i.e. a bull calf that will go promptly into a breeding situation).

Long term, Werribee may increase their holding capacity, but these bulls will otherwise take them to the limit (factoring in they already have three cows and three exhibits).

 

[Jambo]

An interesting exhibit from the bus none the less!.

It will be interesting to see how the go about the new bulls and future breeding. Personally I think a third bull is warranted. Genetically we need another one either around the restarting of breeding or in a few years time. I can see both WPZ and Werribee wanting multiple bulls.

I'm hoping at least one of Monarto or Dubbo also look at importing at least one bull, rather than simply relying on these two French bulls coming to Werribee.

I'm assuming Werribee may go about breeding similar to how Dubbo did. Werribee could group the single female with the intended male, then re-introduce her back to the main group after conception before separating her back out prior to the birth. Then re-introducing them to the others after successful birth and a robust calf.

 

[Zoofan15]

I'm assuming Werribee may go about breeding similar to how Dubbo did. Werribee could group the single female with the intended male, then re-introduce her back to the main group after conception before separating her back out prior to the birth. Then re-introducing them to the others after successful birth and a robust calf.

I’m hoping that will be an option. There’s been at least one case of a hippopotamus calf being killed by its then 2.5 year old sibling, but it’s important to note that the calf was a newborn and that if separation protocol is followed, there’s greater chance of success.

Dubbo’s reintroduction of Cuddles/Kani was significantly more delayed then Cuddles/Kendi to Kibibi - likely due to his siblings older age and his value to the region!

 

[Zoofan15]

I would like to see a 3rd bull imported as we all know large dangerous aggressive animals do die and having at least one "backup" bull in the country is not going to hurt. We have seen quite a few more regional zoos pop up across the country in resent years who have never had a chance to hold hippos but this may change now, Altina has/had shown interest on the zoos website of holding them and there could well be more interest shown once we see young appearing!

It would be good to take advantage of the opportunity to import while we can. Since breeding hippopotamus and integrating calves with pod members is quite an undertaking; and Dubbo, Monarto and Werribee all have females already, I wonder if there would be value in additional holders coming onboard as bull holders or even non-breeding holders.

Dubbo for example has Nile (a non-breeding cow) and three breeding cows within their other pod. Transferring 1-2 of these to another facility would free up space at Dubbo to breed.

 

[Jambo]

It would be good to take advantage of the opportunity to import while we can. Since breeding hippopotamus and integrating calves with pod members is quite an undertaking; and Dubbo, Monarto and Werribee all have females already, I wonder if there would be value in additional holders coming onboard as bull holders or even non-breeding holders.

Dubbo for example has Nile (a non-breeding cow) and three breeding cows within their other pod. Transferring 1-2 of these to another facility would free up space at Dubbo to breed.

It would be great for private zoos to come on board and provide assistance to the regional breeding program.

The likes of Australia Zoo, Altina, National Zoo and even Darling Downs, would no doubt be interested should the opportunity arise for them to take on surplus individuals.

 

[Zoofan15]

It would be great for private zoos to come on board and provide assistance to the regional breeding program.

The likes of Australia Zoo, Altina, National Zoo and even Darling Downs, would no doubt be interested should the opportunity arise for them to take on surplus individuals.

In the meantime, it appears Darling Downs Zoo will become a breeding hub for Pygmy hippopotamus with the import of a bull in near future.

The acquisition of Common hippopotamus is a greater investment for obvious reasons, but the benefit is they can usually be housed in small to medium social groupings, which is beneficial to maintaining a larger regional population.

 

[Zorro]

It would be good to take advantage of the opportunity to import while we can. Since breeding hippopotamus and integrating calves with pod members is quite an undertaking; and Dubbo, Monarto and Werribee all have females already, I wonder if there would be value in additional holders coming onboard as bull holders or even non-breeding holders.

Dubbo for example has Nile (a non-breeding cow) and three breeding cows within their other pod. Transferring 1-2 of these to another facility would free up space at Dubbo to breed.

Monarto Safari park has the potential to hold the largest group of river hippos in the country with the sheer amount of space available to them its just a matter how many they want to keep and being such a massive open range zoo may want to hold more than one pod perhaps two in time

 

[Zoofan15]

Monarto Safari park has the potential to hold the largest group of river hippos in the country with the sheer amount of space available to them its just a matter how many they want to keep and being such a massive open range zoo may want to hold more than one pod perhaps two in time

I have high expectations of Monarto’s pod. If we’re to assume that one of Werribee’s bulls will make its way to Monarto within the next couple of years, then it may be possible to breed from cows (mother and daughter), with their respective offspring then joining the main pod at circa six months of age:

Brindabella (1990): 2028
Pansy (2013): 2029
Brindabella (1990): 2030
Pansy (2013): 2031
Brindabella (1990): 2032
Pansy (2013): 2033

If we’re to assume a 50:50 gender ratio, that could be three females retained within their natal pod; one male transferred out; one male (intact) kept on site in a different pool; and one male (castrated) retained within the natal pod.

Depending on the regional demand and Monarto’s capacity, they could then make a call whether to continue breeding from Pansy or whether to take a break for 5-10 years before bringing in a new bull.

 

[Zorro]

I have high expectations of Monarto’s pod. If we’re to assume that one of Werribee’s bulls will make its way to Monarto within the next couple of years, then it may be possible to breed from cows (mother and daughter), with their respective offspring then joining the main pod at circa six months of age:

Brindabella (1990): 2028
Pansy (2013): 2029
Brindabella (1990): 2030
Pansy (2013): 2031
Brindabella (1990): 2032
Pansy (2013): 2033

If we’re to assume a 50:50 gender ratio, that could be three females retained within their natal pod; one male transferred out; one male (intact) kept on site in a different pool; and one male (castrated) retained within the natal pod.

Depending on the regional demand and Monarto’s capacity, they could then make a call whether to continue breeding from Pansy or whether to take a break for 5-10 years before bringing in a new bull.

Considering what's happened to resent bulls and the country being left with zero males perhaps keeping some bulls in reserve might be a better option than castration

 

[Zoofan15]

Considering what's happened to resent bulls and the country being left with zero males perhaps keeping some bulls in reserve might be a better option than castration

It would definitely be wise to have a number in reserve. In addition to the two bulls being imported (one to Werribee; and perhaps one to Monarto), I anticipate the first bull calf calf would go straight into a breeding situation at Dubbo upon reaching maturity.

From there, the region could look at banking a fourth and fifth bull in reserve (perhaps one at Monarto; one at a new holding facility) and then undertake castration to enable regular breeding to continue (and expansion of the breeding pods).

The alternative would be to pause breeding once capacity of individual building holdings is reached, which is also something that may be considered.

 

[Zorro]

It would definitely be wise to have a number in reserve. In addition to the two bulls being imported (one to Werribee; and perhaps one to Monarto), I anticipate the first bull calf calf would go straight into a breeding situation at Dubbo upon reaching maturity.

From there, the region could look at banking a fourth and fifth bull in reserve (perhaps one at Monarto; one at a new holding facility) and then undertake castration to enable regular breeding to continue (and expansion of the breeding pods).

The alternative would be to pause breeding once capacity of individual building holdings is reached, which is also something that may be considered.

It's possible that some overseas holders that don't have the Taronga line may want something of an outcross. I don't know if Dubbo would be willing to wait that amount of time from someone else to import then breed also then waiting for a possible bull to reach breeding age assuming males are bred first. They just might want to do their own bull import.

 

[Zoofan15]

It's possible that some overseas holders that don't have the Taronga line may want something of an outcross. I don't know if Dubbo would be willing to wait that amount of time from someone else to import then breed also then waiting for a possible bull to reach breeding age assuming males are bred first. They just might want to do their own bull import.

Very true. We have a number of founders that are poorly represented in the global captive population outside Australasia:

1.0 Dizzie (1898)
1.0 William (1908)
0.1 Rosamund (1909)
1.0 Chaka (1920)
0.1 Fatima (1928)
0.1 Lindy (1948)
0.1 Mumsy (1950)
1.0 Billy (1950)
1.0 Kabete (1953)

Exports have been few and far between in recent decades:

0.1 Kibu (1991) Albert x Suzie
0.1 Solucky (1987) Kabete x Snorkle
1.0 Tippi (2004) Fonzie x Solucky