Australasian Hippo Population

[Zoofan15]

Monarto seem to be incredibly confident that they’ll be receiving hippos.

Maybe sisters Kibibi and Kendi will be sent to Monarto. Both sisters are still young and this could buy Monarto time to import a bull later on, which would probably be the offspring of their full brother Kani. That’s just a thought instead of receiving Brindabella and Pansy, who would both have to wait almost 5 or so years for breeding if they are sent there.

That could work for all concerned - especially if Cuddles was transferred with them; as it’d free up Dubbo to receive one of Werribee’s mother daughter pods; and in turn free up Werribee to resume breeding when they’re able to receive a bull.

From a breeding perspective, any female that isn’t Kani’s mother or sister is the better choice for breeding with him. Transferring in females with Werribee (as well as breeding him with Nile) would satisfy this - with his offspring then breeding with his sisters at Monarto in time.

 

[Zoofan15]

Considering Suzie had three unsurviving calves early on, that means Brindabella’s mother was quite young when she had her. She would’ve had to have been at the most, 11 years old, or possibly even younger.

That’s certainly nothing unusual. Faith at Auckland Zoo gave birth to her first calf (a stillborn male) in February 1978 at the age of three years and one month. The calf was sired by the bull her mother was housed with for breeding. She then went on to produce a calf every year until her first calf to survive to adulthood was born in 1982, when Faith was seven years old.

Similarly, Tippi sired his calf at the age of three years to his mother, Solucky. The calf died the week it was born.

This gives me hope Kani can be utilised for breeding sooner rather than later. If Monarto aren’t ready to receive these hippos until next year, it’s possible he could have impregnated his mother or sisters by then.

 

[Jambo]

That could work for all concerned - especially if Cuddles was transferred with them; as it’d free up Dubbo to receive one of Werribee’s mother daughter pods; and in turn free up Werribee to resume breeding when they’re able to receive a bull.

From a breeding perspective, any female that isn’t Kani’s mother or sister is the better choice for breeding with him. Transferring in females with Werribee (as well as breeding him with Nile) would satisfy this - with his offspring then breeding with his sisters at Monarto in time.

That would make the most sense. Werribee and Dubbo should be effectively working together to help maintain the regional population for years to come as the last two remaining holders of Common Hippo.

If any of Werribee’s females are to be sent away it would most likely be Brindabella and Pansy. Since Pansy is much younger than the other two females (Tulip and Lotus) it’d allow for time until one of Kani’s male offspring can be sent to breed with her.

In the past Dubbo have appeared to try to avoid mating closely related individuals as Mana wasn’t bred with his full sister, Nile. Hopefully they change this perspective as Kani would have to breed with his mother and Nile (his Aunty) soon.

 

[Zoofan15]

That would make the most sense. Werribee and Dubbo should be effectively working together to help maintain the regional population for years to come as the last two remaining holders of Common Hippo.

If any of Werribee’s females are to be sent away it would most likely be Brindabella and Pansy. Since Pansy is much younger than the other two females (Tulip and Lotus) it’d allow for time until one of Kani’s male offspring can be sent to breed with her.

In the past Dubbo have appeared to try to avoid mating closely related individuals as Mana wasn’t bred with his full sister, Nile. Hopefully they change this perspective as Kani would have to breed with his mother and Nile (his Aunty) soon.

I suppose a lot of the future pairings depend on whether Dubbo are willing to transfer Kani to another facility. Until we have at least one other male calf in the region, I’d be reluctant to subject Kani to transit, which isn’t without risks in this species.

It could be wise to initially use Dubbo as the breeding hub, with cows loaned from Werribee. Primrose and her daughters could be loaned to Werribee, returned pregnant; and then Brindabella and Pansy sent to Dubbo to live permanently. This would free up Werribee to accomodate the other three cows and their calves (bearing in mind separation will be required).

 

[Zorro]

I suppose a lot of the future pairings depend on whether Dubbo are willing to transfer Kani to another facility. Until we have at least one other male calf in the region, I’d be reluctant to subject Kani to transit, which isn’t without risks in this species.

It could be wise to initially use Dubbo as the breeding hub, with cows loaned from Werribee. Primrose and her daughters could be loaned to Werribee, returned pregnant; and then Brindabella and Pansy sent to Dubbo to live permanently. This would free up Werribee to accomodate the other three cows and their calves (bearing in mind separation will be required).

At the end of the day it all depends on what sort of time frame for importation can happen,lets assume it could happen within the next 2 to 3 years it would be a great benefit if any holders here now by putting out feelers to see what might be available from overseas holders and save some time now instead of starting to look a few years time

 

[Zoofan15]

At the end of the day it all depends on what sort of time frame for importation can happen,lets assume it could happen within the next 2 to 3 years it would be a great benefit if any holders here now by putting out feelers to see what might be available from overseas holders and save some time now instead of starting to look a few years time

Hopefully if imports happen, there’s consideration given to what the regional population requires over the next 50 years. We’ve all seen what happens when zoos think short term only and fail to plan for the unexpected (Dubbo’s two adult bulls dying prematurely).

Ideally we’d see a group import happen, with zoos benefitting from the mutual support. To sustain the regional population for the next 50 years, a minimum of three pairs is needed - with any additional hippos considered a wise contingency.

 

[Zorro]

Hopefully if imports happen, there’s consideration given to what the regional population requires over the next 50 years. We’ve all seen what happens when zoos think short term only and fail to plan for the unexpected (Dubbo’s two adult bulls dying prematurely).

Ideally we’d see a group import happen, with zoos benefitting from the mutual support. To sustain the regional population for the next 50 years, a minimum of three pairs is needed - with any additional hippos considered a wise contingency.

That’s been a major factor in the current situation, Short term planning. As mentioned recently the park which obtained one of the Mareeba hippos before the rest were exported really saved the day or the situation would be even more dire than it is currently

 

[Swanson02]

Ideally, we’d see a group import happen, with zoos benefitting from the mutual support. To sustain the regional population for the next 50 years, a minimum of three pairs is needed - with any additional hippos considered a wise contingency.

Monarto's current raffle campaign seems very geared towards funding for fresh international stock rather than just grabbing a mother/daughter pair from Werribee for cheap. But ZoosSA's limited cash due to the whole Wild Africa expansion makes me feel if they do import alone it would only be 2 or 3 animals. I would definitely hope for a group import supported by multiple zoos (TWPZ, Werribee, Monarto) much similar to the Asian elephant import between Melbourne and Taronga back in the early 2000s.
It's amazing to see how many zoos in the region are interested in Hippos including - Monarto, Altina, Auckland, Orana, and Sydney Zoo (if I remember correctly).

Also, does anyone know where these 'imports' will most likely originate?
South Africa? like many of the White Rhino, Hyena, and Cheetahs within the region?
Or from an actual zoo internationally?

 

[Zoofan15]

Monarto's current raffle campaign seems very geared towards funding for fresh international stock rather than just grabbing a mother/daughter pair from Werribee for cheap. But ZoosSA's limited cash due to the whole Wild Africa expansion makes me feel if they do import alone it would only be 2 or 3 animals. I would definitely hope for a group import supported by multiple zoos (TWPZ, Werribee, Monarto) much similar to the Asian elephant import between Melbourne and Taronga back in the early 2000s.
It's amazing to see how many zoos in the region are interested in Hippos including - Monarto, Altina, Auckland, Orana, and Sydney Zoo (if I remember correctly).

Also, does anyone know where these 'imports' will most likely originate?
South Africa? like many of the White Rhino, Hyena, and Cheetahs within the region?
Or from an actual zoo internationally?

If a group import occurred, it’d be join funded by the zoos benefiting from the imports so a large number could theoretically be imported. Monarto is investing in a huge rhino facility, which assuming access to water was provided, could be used to quarantine the hippos prior to their distribution to the other zoos.

Orana Wildlife are similarly constructing a large rhino holding facility, that could also be used to quarantine them prior to their export to Australia. That said, I doubt Orana has the finances to keep them and am not aware of their intention to do so.

South African imports would be ideal, though Europe is a likely source; as is Indonesia. In the case of the latter, we could well be importing distant relatives of our hippos as Adelaide and Cairns Wildlife Safari have both exported to there.

 

[Zorro]

If a group import occurred, it’d be join funded by the zoos benefiting from the imports so a large number could theoretically be imported. Monarto is investing in a huge rhino facility, which assuming access to water was provided, could be used to quarantine the hippos prior to their distribution to the other zoos.

Orana Wildlife are similarly constructing a large rhino holding facility, that could also be used to quarantine them prior to their export to Australia. That said, I doubt Orana has the finances to keep them and am not aware of their intention to do so.

South African imports would be ideal, though Europe is a likely source; as is Indonesia. In the case of the latter, we could well be importing distant relatives of our hippos as Adelaide and Cairns Wildlife Safari have both exported to there.

Which zoos in Indonesia have the most hippo’s atm

 

[Zoofan15]

Which zoos in Indonesia have the most hippo’s atm

Taman Safari. Given her experience with negotiating deals with them, perhaps Terri should be brought to the hippo negotiation table? They’d be an asset to Australia Zoo’s African collection.

 

[Zorro]

Taman Safari. Given her experience with negotiating deals with them, perhaps Terri should be brought to the hippo negotiation table? They’d be an asset to Australia Zoo’s African collection.

. Perhaps Austzoo are not interested in expanding their African exhibit any larger than it is atm.

 

[Polar bear fan]

I just read that a second male hippo, Happy, died in 2019 at TWPZ where he lived with Nile. Does anyone know if they ever produced any calves or at least pregnancies before his death. It seems incredibly strange to me… unless he was castrated, in which it makes plenty of sense.

 

[Zoofan15]

I just read that a second male hippo, Happy, died in 2019 at TWPZ where he lived with Nile. Does anyone know if they ever produced any calves or at least pregnancies before his death. It seems incredibly strange to me… unless he was castrated, in which it makes plenty of sense.

Happy never bred with Nile. The simplest explanation was that they were half siblings (same mother). If they were housed together, Nile would have been on contraception.

Happy did however breed several times with a cow named Rumbin. Rumbin was born 1986 at Adelaide Zoo and transferred to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in 1989.

Happy and Rumbin produced a female named Mafuta, who was born 18/03/1991. She survived to adulthood, but has since died without producing offspring. They also had three non surviving calves born November 1996 (died two days later); born August 1998 (died 18 days later); and born May 1999 (died two days later).

 

[Polar bear fan]

Happy never bred with Nile. The simplest explanation was that they were half siblings (same mother). If they were housed together, Nile would have been on contraception.

Happy did however breed several times with a cow named Rumbin. Rumbin was born 1986 at Adelaide Zoo and transferred to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in 1989.

Happy and Rumbin produced a female named Mafuta, who was born 18/03/1991. She survived to adulthood, but has since died without producing offspring. They also had three non surviving calves born November 1996 (died two days later); born August 1998 (died 18 days later); and born May 1999 (died two days later).

Aahhh, I see. Thank you. Im glad you’re so well informed on this population. It’s a shame Nile never had a good mate. Hopefully a new import can occur while she still has a decent chance of halving calves.

 

[Zoofan15]

Aahhh, I see. Thank you. Im glad you’re so well informed on this population. It’s a shame Nile never had a good mate. Hopefully a new import can occur while she still has a decent chance of halving calves.

No problem. This information (and more) is available via this document if you want to learn more: Common Hippopotamus Husbandry Guidelines - [PDF Document]

Nile is 23 years old this year, but will hopefully be able to breed - either with an imported bull or Kani.

Despite her age, Nile is the most suitable candidate to breed from a husbandry perspective as she’s housed alone. The other cows in the region live in cohesive mother-daughter pods, which would be disrupted by the necessary and extended separation they’d require upon the birth of their respective calves.

 

[Jambo]

No problem. This information (and more) is available via this document if you want to learn more: Common Hippopotamus Husbandry Guidelines - [PDF Document]

Nile is 23 years old this year, but will hopefully be able to breed - either with an imported bull or Kani.

Despite her age, Nile is the most suitable candidate to breed from a husbandry perspective as she’s housed alone. The other cows in the region live in cohesive mother-daughter pods, which would be disrupted by the necessary and extended separation they’d require upon the birth of their respective calves.

Nile was housed with both Happy (her half brother) and Mana her full brother over the years. She was on contraception as apparently a recommendation never occurred to breed from her. This was likely due to the fact she was related to both bulls at the time and Dubbo already had a breeding pair of which weren’t closely related like she was.

Nile would probably be the first option for Kani to be breed with as she’s the least related to him of all the girls at Dubbo.

 

[Zoofan15]

Nile was housed with both Happy (her half brother) and Mana her full brother over the years. She was on contraception as apparently a recommendation never occurred to breed from her. This was likely due to the fact she was related to both bulls at the time and Dubbo already had a breeding pair of which weren’t closely related like she was.

Nile would probably be the first option for Kani to be breed with as she’s the least related to him of all the girls at Dubbo.

That seems likely as prior to Mana and Cuddles becoming the breeding pair, the recommendation was to breed Happy and Rumbin.

If we need to resort to inbreeding, I imagine a parent offspring mating would be on the cards first. At the extreme end of the scale, Kani could impregnate his dam as early as next year - a mating which would occur organically without the risk of introducing him to a fully grown cow, who may be hostile and inflict serious injury on the half grown bull.

Assuming no imports are on the horizon, I’d recommend allowing
Cuddles and Kani to breed as soon as nature allows; with the view of pairing him with Nile in around three years time.

 

[Jambo]

That seems likely as prior to Mana and Cuddles becoming the breeding pair, the recommendation was to breed Happy and Rumbin.

If we need to resort to inbreeding, I imagine a parent offspring mating would be on the cards first. At the extreme end of the scale, Kani could impregnate his dam as early as next year - a mating which would occur organically without the risk of introducing him to a fully grown cow, who may be hostile and inflict serious injury on the half grown bull.

Assuming no imports are on the horizon, I’d recommend allowing
Cuddles and Kani to breed as soon as nature allows; with the view of pairing him with Nile in around three years time.

That’s correct. Happy and Rumbin were Dubbo’s designated breeding pair in the early 2000’s up until Rumbin’s death in 2011. Unfortunately they never successfully bred during this time although they were kept together. Rumbin was replaced by Cuddles in 2013 as Dubbo’s breeding female.

Back in the 1990’s Dubbo elected to use Ollie as their breeding bull compared to Billy who was well represented as he sired many calves throughout the 60’s and 70’s at Taronga.

It would be best to breed Kani with Cuddles initially before pairing him with Kani as a breeding pair. One of his male offspring could then be sent to Werribee to breed with their girls. Werribee could then send Brindabella and Pansy to Dubbo in return.

 

[Zorro]

That’s correct. Happy and Rumbin were Dubbo’s designated breeding pair in the early 2000’s up until Rumbin’s death in 2011. Unfortunately they never successfully bred during this time although they were kept together. Rumbin was replaced by Cuddles in 2013 as Dubbo’s breeding female.

Back in the 1990’s Dubbo elected to use Ollie as their breeding bull compared to Billy who was well represented as he sired many calves throughout the 60’s and 70’s at Taronga.

It would be best to breed Kani with Cuddles initially before pairing him with Kani as a breeding pair. One of his male offspring could then be sent to Werribee to breed with their girls. Werribee could then send Brindabella and Pansy to Dubbo in return.

There really needs to be a plan and some action taken before its to late for the remaining population of hippos in the region that also goes even more so for the pygmy hippo. Dubbo’s early exhibit was not as extensive as it is these days starting out with just the three animals often seen on the island. I believe with three open range zoos and possibly several other zoos holding them in the future with imports they should have a good future, I hope management of them in the future would be somewhat different