The female, Abou, was put down earlier this week for medical reasons, leaving the male Harvey alone.
This picture is the last I have of the two of them together, taken 2 years ago.
The female, Abou, was put down earlier this week for medical reasons, leaving the male Harvey alone.
This picture is the last I have of the two of them together, taken 2 years ago.
I'm glad that I at least got to see her on my last visit. Now I'm wondering if the zoo will want to get a new female pygmy hippo. There isn't a lot of space for two (especially when the red river hogs are indoors), but they might want to have Harvey breed.
About was 21. Her birthday was October 19, 1992... just shy of being 22. Harvey is 19. His birthday is December 20, 1994 so hes almost 20.
Being imported from Europe and having no family in North America, Harvey is the top male in terms of genetics. He is a potential founder for the AZA population. And while he has no surviving calves he sired 4-6 calves with Abou that didnt survive (sorry didnt keep track of DNS babies), so he knows what to do and is fertile. The zoo will want a replacement and the hippo SSP will want it too. Its a small population and every founder they can get is critical to keeping the population genetically sound. The hiccup will be the zoo not being in the AZA. Like with oh so many of the species will we be able to get the animals suggested?
