Also, even if the exhibits did merge, would having sitatunga and hippos together be difficult? (Here I go again asking about the likelihood of co-existence of different species )
Do hippos ever get territorial in captivity like they do in the wild and start to establish boundaries? Sitatunga are larger than the patas monkeys we discussed earlier, so would hippos ever threaten sitatunga if they felt that they invaded their space?
If so, what about duikers? Duikers are smaller, so would hippos ignore them? Sorry most of my questions involve this. I know this must be frustrating for you.
The low gate allows sitatunga to pass through, but keeps the hippos this side - so they can mix but the sitatunga have a safe retreat if needed.
(West) Berlin have had hippos and nyalas together for some time; I don't know if they've had any problems but they've clearly not had enough to put them off it!
The low gate allows sitatunga to pass through, but keeps the hippos this side - so they can mix but the sitatunga have a safe retreat if needed.
(West) Berlin have had hippos and nyalas together for some time; I don't know if they've had any problems but they've clearly not had enough to put them off it!
Of course then there was the hippo at Zoo Basle, that after years of peaceful co-existence killed a zebra. But then again, it was a zebra that frequently tried to eat food out of the open mouth of said hippo!
I read once of a hippo at whipsnade zoo who killed and ate a wallaby I think it was in a letter to International Zoo News from Clinton Keeling if i remember correctly
