Early next year was the latest goal mentioned by one of the safari tour guides. It was indeed initially supposed to be around this time this year, but there's been a few hurdles that the zoo will hopefully be able to navigate.
Australasian Hippo Population
- Thread starter Zoofan15
- Start date
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I knew I definitely remembered hearing it would happen about now, okay thanks for the update.
Hopefully it will be big news when they arrive it will be wonderful to get a breeding program restarted again more so with 3 major open range zoos now!
It’s the first import of a Common hippopotamus by an Australasian zoo since Auckland Zoo imported Kabete in 1956, so it’s a monumental event, not least because the region has been reduced to only bulls.
For obvious reasons, it’s great to have new genetics coming in, though I suspect the practicalities of being unable to breed with an all female population has necessitated the event.
I believe the future now for hippos looks brighter than previous years not only because of now having the 3 open range zoos holding them but the fact that Werribee is extending its holding area. Plus the sheer scale of what the size of the hippo exhibit at Monarto is actually capable of handling a good number of them.
Also the fact we now have a good number of his quality regional zoo of which I believe at least a couple would be interested in holding any surplus hippos. I believe if the Perth zoo had gone ahead with the wanted open range zoo that would have made a big difference having a fourth open range zoo in the mix, there are enough billionaires in WA that could have helped out the community with such a project and all the jobs that would of been involved building it!
I agree. What’s really encouraging is there’s two founder bulls coming into the region, when demographically speaking, one would suffice with the current number of holders. What this suggests (aside from the obvious need for a contingency should one die prematurely) is that there’s interest from other facilities in acquiring the species.
If the founder bulls arrive next year, then it’s not unreasonable to expect calves at Werribee and the second breeding facility by 2028; with the third facility breeding by circa 2031. A reasonable surplus will inevitably result.