Pygmy Hippo.

New female Kindia has been on exhibit about a week, although she and Harvey have not been put together yet. Keeper said yesterday there have been no problems so they will be be introduced soon.
Both times I have seen them Harvey has been lying down dozing, but positioned so he can see Kindia thru a window.

Excellent to see our new girl on exhibit.

Not surprising Harvey is keeping an eye on his new girl. He is a charmer and is very good at his job as a male pygmy hippo. Sure Abou and Harvey never produced a surviving calf but he has sired 6 calves. Once they introduce Kindia and Harvey it wont be long before a calf is on its way. We will just have to hope any genetic flaw that might have lead to all of Harvey and Abou's calves not surviving laid with Abou. Fingers crossed that Harvey and Kindia will produce healthy, strong calves. 2017 will be a stellar year even if the only baby born is a pygmy hippo as far as I am concerned.

Quick question, if they have a calf, will the three of them stay on exhibit with each other, or will Harvey be separated from mother and calf?

TZFan said:

Excellent to see our new girl on exhibit.

Not surprising Harvey is keeping an eye on his new girl. He is a charmer and is very good at his job as a male pygmy hippo. Sure Abou and Harvey never produced a surviving calf but he has sired 6 calves. Once they introduce Kindia and Harvey it wont be long before a calf is on its way. We will just have to hope any genetic flaw that might have lead to all of Harvey and Abou's calves not surviving laid with Abou. Fingers crossed that Harvey and Kindia will produce healthy, strong calves. 2017 will be a stellar year even if the only baby born is a pygmy hippo as far as I am concerned.

Click to expand...

6/6 non-surviving calves. Any reason for this (genetics, husbandry, exhibitry?)???

In theory a male pygmy hippo can be on display with his offspring. It happens. It's not usually done right away. Knowing Toronto and their tendency towards caution... I'm thinking it's unlikely. Possible but highly unlikely.

I don't know why all six died. A couple early ones were still births while they lived at Mountainview Conservation and Breeding Center. None lived longer than a month. Most died within days. I don't know what impact genetics, husbandry or exhibitry would have had while they lived there. Well genetics would be an ongoing cause so its a strong contender. The final calf was born in Toronto but Abou herself became ill after the birth and staff had to step in and raise the calf once Abou rejected motherhood due to illness. That was the calf that lasted nearly a month but Toronto has never had to hand rear a pygmy hippo and a weak one at that. Abou became so ill they decided to just never try for a calf again... plus Abou never fully bounced back. Hopefully if it is genetics the problem lay with Abou. Harvey is a baby maker. Kindia is unproven as a breeder and she is over 10 so we shall just have to see. If more calves don't make it then I would be inclined to blame Harvey but with so many combined dead calves with Abou Toronto probably has invested in some genetic testing. Time will tell.