Australasian Hippo Population

[Zorro]

Perth could a potential holder, they lack African forest species. They actually used to have a female Pygmy Hippo, Penny, until 1980. She was astonishingly 43 years of age at the time and was imported from Liberia.

Australia could easily also have the space for Common Hippos, and would compliment their current African collection nicely.

I didn’t know perth had a pygmy hippo let alone a female imported from Africa, did they ever pair her with a male?.
If you look at google maps one can see a number of existing dams quite near AZ African exhibit thats been there for a long time. It would be a nice extension to what they have there now but very unlikely to ever happen

 

[Zorro]

I just did a search and actually found that Perth zoo did in fact have a river hippo they received in 1934 that was shipped from Sydney for a purchase price of 300 hundred pounds.
After a naming contest was named Pondo which was its name in New Zealand. I found this in the State Library of Western Australia

 

[Jambo]

I didn’t know perth had a pygmy hippo let alone a female imported from Africa, did they ever pair her with a male?.
If you look at google maps one can see a number of existing dams quite near AZ African exhibit thats been there for a long time. It would be a nice extension to what they have there now but very unlikely to ever happen

They imported her in the 1940's so it was quite some time ago. I don't believe she was ever imported with a male, at least throughout her last decade or so of life. She may have been paired with one beforehand.

I just did a search and actually found that Perth zoo did in fact have a river hippo they received in 1934 that was shipped from Sydney for a purchase price of 300 hundred pounds.
After a naming contest was named Pondo which was its name in New Zealand. I found this in the State Library of Western Australia

Pondo was born at Auckland to their original pair, Belle and Chaka. He was born there in 1929.

 

[Zorro]

They imported her in the 1940's so it was quite some time ago. I don't believe she was ever imported with a male, at least throughout her last decade or so of life. She may have been paired with one beforehand.



Pondo was born at Auckland to their original pair, Belle and Chaka. He was born there in 1929.

This early history is very interesting I hope to find out more regarding early imports and founders

 

[Jambo]

This early history is very interesting I hope to find out more regarding early imports and founders

Me included!

Melbourne had a pair that were imported in the 1910's, and were apparently Australia's first breeding pair, although there's no record of any of their offspring.

Adelaide had a hippo (Newsboy) who apparently lived solitary. He was replaced by Brutus and Suzie following his death; both of whom came from Victoria. Brutus may have been descended from Melbourne's original pair, as we know Suzie came from Taronga.

Taronga had quite a lot of hippos over the years. Nada and Bonnie were Taronga hippos that were sent to Auckland. Billy was their predominant breeder from the 50's. He, and his partner, Lindy were Taronga's last hippos when they left to Dubbo in 1992.

 

[Zorro]

Me included!

Melbourne had a pair that were imported in the 1910's, and were apparently Australia's first breeding pair, although there's no record of any of their offspring.

Adelaide had a hippo (Newsboy) who apparently lived solitary. He was replaced by Brutus and Suzie following his death; both of whom came from Victoria. Brutus may have been descended from Melbourne's original pair, as we know Suzie came from Taronga.

Taronga had quite a lot of hippos over the years. Nada and Bonnie were Taronga hippos that were sent to Auckland. Billy was their predominant breeder from the 50's. He, and his partner, Lindy were Taronga's last hippos when they left to Dubbo in 1992.

I saw the small concrete hippo pools at Taronga in 1973 it was surprising how small they where. There were steel pipe fencing dividing the area into smaller pens.
I also got to see the original hippo exhibit at Dubbo before any of the extensions we’re added only 3 months after it opened in 1977 the only land area then was the current island and the hippo pens/shelters

 

[Jambo]

I saw the small concrete hippo pools at Taronga in 1973 it was surprising how small they where. There were steel pipe fencing dividing the area into smaller pens.
I also got to see the original hippo exhibit at Dubbo before any of the extensions we’re added only 3 months after it opened in 1977 the only land area atm was the current island and the hippo pens/shelters

The dividing pipe makes sense as they would've had at least five adult hippos at the time, possibly more.

Yes, i've seen a photo of the initial hippo enclosure. It was just a small island surrounded by a massive lake; the same one as today, although it's been divided further. It's also good that they've been given access to large stretches of land space as well as that. From memory, the island was pretty tiny.

 

[Zorro]

The dividing pipe makes sense as they would've had at least five adult hippos at the time, possibly more.

Yes, i've seen a photo of the initial hippo enclosure. It was just a small island surrounded by a massive lake; the same one as today, although it's been divided further. It's also good that they've been given access to large stretches of land space as well as that. From memory, the island was pretty tiny.

I seem to recall around 3/4 pens but can’t be sure now.
The original island is still the same one as is there now its edges were lined with wooden logs around the water line and the only easy way into the water was via a sloping concrete ramp

 

[Jambo]

I seem to recall around 3/4 pens but can’t be sure now.
The original island is still the same one as is there now its edges were lined with wooden logs around the water line and the only easy way into the water was via a sloping concrete ramp

Three to four pens sounds about right. I doubt they'd have more than that, but still quite a few due to the amount fo hippos they had.

Here's a photo of the island:

The ramp still exists, although I believe the logs were there initially as well. The plant life on the island has also grown quite a lot, as the photo I saw seemed to detail it being full of long grass.

Here's an original photo of it by @MARK :

And another one from @Hix :

Hix's photo was the one I remembered seeing! They had a fair amount of water space. The second photo appears to show Suzie and her two year old son Harry. The first shows three adults, which i'm assuming would be Toby, Mumsy and Suzie, or if it was taken post 1978; Toby, Ollie and Mumsy.

 

[Zorro]

Three to four pens sounds about right. I doubt they'd have more than that, but still quite a few due to the amount fo hippos they had.

Here's a photo of the island:

The ramp still exists, although I believe the logs were there initially as well. The plant life on the island has also grown quite a lot, as the photo I saw seemed to detail it being full of long grass.

Here's an original photo of it by @MARK :

And another one from @Hix :

Hix's photo was the one I remembered seeing! They had a fair amount of water space. The second photo appears to show Suzie and her two year old son Harry. The first shows three adults, which i'm assuming would be Toby, Mumsy and Suzie, or if it was taken post 1978; Toby, Ollie and Mumsy.

Yep the photo by mark is exactly how I remember them in 1977 with the 3 hippos

 

[Zorro]

The future of both Hippo species in Australia.
I believe IF out current zoos can import enough of each species of Hippos they can have a positive future within the region. In the past less than a handful of major zoos were carrying both species, Since then we have seen a number of very progressive regional zoos develop which can add to the number of holders supporting higher numbers which long term lays a strong foundation. I am excited that such a massive zoo like Monarto has taken an interest, this will make huge difference long term with the land area compared to the limited space available in most city zoos.There appears to be quite a few river hippo and pygmy hippos in Asian zoos perhaps this could be a good source to acquire new bloodlines I am feeling positive about the possibilities

 

[Zoofan15]

I just did a search and actually found that Perth zoo did in fact have a river hippo they received in 1934 that was shipped from Sydney for a purchase price of 300 hundred pounds.
After a naming contest was named Pondo which was its name in New Zealand. I found this in the State Library of Western Australia

Pondo (1929) was renamed Peach Blossum and arrived at Perth Zoo in April 1934. He was the Auckland Zoo’s first hippopotamus calf to survive to adulthood.

Adelaide had a hippo (Newsboy) who apparently lived solitary.

Zulu (1932) was renamed Newsboy and arrived at Adelaide Zoo in January 1934 (shipped December 1933). It was noted he replaced a 10 year old hippo that died after swallowing a rubber ball (a common cause of death for this species across the region’s zoos). He died in 1977.

 

[Zoofan15]

Melbourne had a pair that were imported in the 1910's, and were apparently Australia's first breeding pair, although there's no record of any of their offspring.

I believe this pair were named William and Rosamund. They produced a female named Bella (born 23/02/1921) who arrived at Auckland Zoo 11/12/1923.

Common hippopotamus weren’t bred at Taronga Zoo until 1937, when Nada was born to Dizzie and Fatima. Fatima had come from Cairo Zoo a decade prior; while Dizzie had been noted to have been at the zoo around 20 years. Dizzie and Fatima subsequently produced a female calf named Sheba 14/11/1938; and a male calf named Bardia in 1941. Cuddles and her offspring are the only living descendants of this pair.

 

[Zoofan15]

Taronga Zoo - Common Hippopotamus History

I’ve done some research on the history of Taronga’s Common hippopotamus and found the following information:

Facts:

According to newspaper archives and studbooks:

In October 1953, Taronga Zoo had two female Common hippopotamus (Hilda and Henrietta). These appear to be the two females that arrived from Kenya in February 1951 (one of which was full grown; the other around 12 months old).

A four year old bull was imported via an animal dealer by Taronga Zoo in April 1954.

Lindy was born at Taronga Zoo in 1954. She gave birth to a calf in 1977 (sired by Billy) which was noted to be her third surviving calf since 1967.

Brutus’ parents were wild caught founders.

0.1 Bonnie was born at Taronga Zoo 17/11/1957 to Unk and Unk
1.0 Albert/Brutus was born at Taronga Zoo 18/05/1965 to 1010 and 1006
0.1 Victoria/Susie was born at Taronga Zoo 30/12/1967 to 1010 and 1008
0.1 Suzie was born at Taronga Zoo 26/03/1970 to 1010 and 1008

Reasonable Assumptions:

It’s reasonable to assume that:

The bull imported from Kenya in 1954 was Billy.

Lindy was conceived the month Billy was imported in April 1954 to one of the two cows imported 1951 (Hilda or Henrietta) and born December 1954.

Hilda or Henrietta was the mother of Bonnie, who was sired by Billy.

Hilda or Henrietta was the mother of Albert; while Lindy was the mother of Victoria and Suzie. All three were sired by Billy.

 

[Zorro]

Taronga Zoo - Common Hippopotamus History

I’ve done some research on the history of Taronga’s Common hippopotamus and found the following information:

Facts:

According to newspaper archives and studbooks:

In October 1953, Taronga Zoo had two female Common hippopotamus (Hilda and Henrietta). These appear to be the two females that arrived from Kenya in February 1951 (one of which was full grown; the other around 12 months old).

A four year old bull was imported via an animal dealer by Taronga Zoo in April 1954.

Lindy was born at Taronga Zoo in 1954. She gave birth to a calf in 1977 (sired by Billy) which was noted to be her third surviving calf since 1967.

Brutus’ parents were wild caught founders.

0.1 Bonnie was born at Taronga Zoo 17/11/1957 to Unk and Unk
1.0 Albert/Brutus was born at Taronga Zoo 18/05/1965 to 1010 and 1006
0.1 Victoria/Susie was born at Taronga Zoo 30/12/1967 to 1010 and 1008
0.1 Suzie was born at Taronga Zoo 26/03/1970 to 1010 and 1008

Reasonable Assumptions:

It’s reasonable to assume that:

The bull imported from Kenya in 1954 was Billy.

Lindy was conceived the month Billy was imported in April 1954 to one of the two cows imported 1951 (Hilda or Henrietta) and born December 1954.

Hilda or Henrietta was the mother of Bonnie, who was sired by Billy.

Hilda or Henrietta was the mother of Albert; while Lindy was the mother of Victoria and Suzie. All three were sired by Billy.

Thank you for your research its amazing to hear about animals coming directly from Africa

 

[Zoofan15]

Thank you for your research its amazing to hear about animals coming directly from Africa

Kabete appears to have been one of the last wild caught imports in the region. He was imported by Auckland Zoo in 1956 and sired several calves.

From here, breeding appeared to have taken off to the point where wild imports were no longer needed. Lindy’s calf in 1977 was noted to have been the 12th born at Taronga which would include the 1.2 born 1937-1941. The 1977 calf was a female named Happy. Since the studbook lists Dubbo Happy as Happy 2, we can assume she died young.

 

[Jambo]

Taronga Zoo - Common Hippopotamus History

I’ve done some research on the history of Taronga’s Common hippopotamus and found the following information:

Facts:

According to newspaper archives and studbooks:

In October 1953, Taronga Zoo had two female Common hippopotamus (Hilda and Henrietta). These appear to be the two females that arrived from Kenya in February 1951 (one of which was full grown; the other around 12 months old).

A four year old bull was imported via an animal dealer by Taronga Zoo in April 1954.

Lindy was born at Taronga Zoo in 1954. She gave birth to a calf in 1977 (sired by Billy) which was noted to be her third surviving calf since 1967.

Brutus’ parents were wild caught founders.

0.1 Bonnie was born at Taronga Zoo 17/11/1957 to Unk and Unk
1.0 Albert/Brutus was born at Taronga Zoo 18/05/1965 to 1010 and 1006
0.1 Victoria/Susie was born at Taronga Zoo 30/12/1967 to 1010 and 1008
0.1 Suzie was born at Taronga Zoo 26/03/1970 to 1010 and 1008

Reasonable Assumptions:

It’s reasonable to assume that:

The bull imported from Kenya in 1954 was Billy.

Lindy was conceived the month Billy was imported in April 1954 to one of the two cows imported 1951 (Hilda or Henrietta) and born December 1954.

Hilda or Henrietta was the mother of Bonnie, who was sired by Billy.

Hilda or Henrietta was the mother of Albert; while Lindy was the mother of Victoria and Suzie. All three were sired by Billy.

Thanks for the research!

It's really interesting to discover more about Taronga's initial herd, especially those who have descendants within the population today.

Taronga's initial pair, Dizzie and Fatima must've been deceased by 1953. Do you have any idea what happened to their offspring, Sheba and Bardia?

Lindy and Billy were long known as Taronga's breeding pair. I believe they were Taronga's only pair following Ollie, Mumsy and Suzie's departure to Dubbo in 1977. Ollie and Mumsy were also likely offspring of Billy. I got the impression Mumsy was a wildborn female though.

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks for the research!

It's really interesting to discover more about Taronga's initial herd, especially those who have descendants within the population today.

Taronga's initial pair, Dizzie and Fatima must've been deceased by 1953. Do you have any idea what happened to their offspring, Sheba and Bardia?

Lindy and Billy were long known as Taronga's breeding pair. I believe they were Taronga's only pair following Ollie, Mumsy and Suzie's departure to Dubbo in 1977. Ollie and Mumsy were also likely offspring of Billy. I got the impression Mumsy was a wildborn female though.

You’re welcome. I too was interested to learn more and piece together what I could find from the limited facts we have to hand.

The last mention I can find of Sheba is from June 1941, which details how she’d been seperated off with her sire (Dizzie); while her mother tends to her new sibling (Bardia). The article states she’ll be sold to another zoo soon, but a search of other zoos revealed nothing; the same for Bardia beyond 1941. I would assume they both died young as Cuddles (2002) was noted in a research report from 2011 to be the only surviving family member of Nada.

Dizzie was still alive at the estimated age of 55 in August 1952. It was noted he was expecting a calf with an unnamed female hippo. I would assume this calf died as per the reasons above re. Nada/Cuddles and because an article from the following year described the zoo as having two full grown females named Hilda and Henrietta.

I also believe Billy and Lindy were Taronga’s only pair in the final decades. Billy was noted to be 4.5 years in April 1954 (born late 1949); while his daughter Lindy was assumed to be born December 1954 as per my post above. This means there were five years between them.

Interesting you mentioned the possibility of Mumsy being wild born. I didn’t bother mentioning this before as I assumed the calf wouldn’t have survived and the information be inconsequential, but a four month old female Common hippopotamus arrived with the 4.5 year old bull in April 1954. If it survived, it’s possible this was Mumsy.

 

[Jambo]

Dizzie was still alive at the estimated age of 55 in August 1952. It was noted he was expecting a calf with an unnamed female hippo. I would assume this calf died as per the reasons above re. Nada/Cuddles and because an article from the following year described the zoo as having two full grown females named Hilda and Henrietta.

So we can reasonably assume Dizzie died sometime in late 1952/early 1953? The females (Henrietta and Hilda) were also probably imported to replace Fatima, so she must’ve died prior to 1951.

I also believe Billy and Lindy were Taronga’s only pair in the final decades. Billy was noted to be 4.5 years in April 1954 (born late 1949); while his daughter Lindy was assumed to be born December 1954 as per my post above. This means there were five years between them

It was mentioned in an article I read from the 80’s they were the sole remaining pair at Taronga, and they apparently were still breeding producing several calves throughout the 80’s, although none of which survived very long.

Billy’s arrival in 1954 also ties in with the assumption Dizzie died in late 1952/1953, as he would’ve been brought in as a replacement. It'll be interesting to find more about what happened to Billy and Lindy at Dubbo. Both must’ve died in the 90’s, but an exact date would be nice.

Interesting you mentioned the possibility of Mumsy being wild born. I didn’t bother mentioning this before as I assumed the calf wouldn’t have survived and the information be inconsequential, but a four month old female Common hippopotamus arrived with the 4.5 year old bull in April 1954. If it survived, it’s possible this was Mumsy.

The name doesn’t really suit a calf, so I assumed she may have been a female brought into Taronga for breeding. It would be reasonable then to assume Mumsy was the female brought into Taronga in 1954 alongside Billy. Her arrival though seems consequential if Hilda and Henrietta were both still alive, so one may have possibly died hence the need for a replacement female? Both females aren’t mentioned in later articles and so forth.

 

[Zoofan15]

So we can reasonably assume Dizzie died sometime in late 1952/early 1953? The females (Henrietta and Hilda) were also probably imported to replace Fatima, so she must’ve died prior to 1951.

Billy’s arrival in 1954 also ties in with the assumption Dizzie died in late 1952/1953, as he would’ve been brought in as a replacement. It'll be interesting to find more about what happened to Billy and Lindy at Dubbo. Both must’ve died in the 90’s, but an exact date would be nice.

Dizzie died sometime between August 1952 and October 1953 - when an article detailed the zoo as holding two female Common hippopotami.

Fatima was last mentioned in 1941 as having produced her third calf (Bardia). Since Fatima produced three calves in quick succession, I’d assume she died soon after Bardia’s birth given no further calves followed. Hippos were a valuable commodity and the zoo would have been keen to breed more.

Billy (assuming he was the same bull as which was imported 1954) was the zoo’s new breeding bull. I suspect he and Lindy were retained as a pair given their similar (and advanced ages) i.e. they tied in well with Taronga’s plans to phase this species out. However, they exceeded their life expectancy and were transferred to Dubbo.

The name doesn’t really suit a calf, so I assumed she may have been a female brought into Taronga for breeding. It would be reasonable then to assume Mumsy was the female brought into Taronga in 1954 alongside Billy. Her arrival though seems consequential if Hilda and Henrietta were both still alive, so one may have possibly died hence the need for a replacement female? Both females aren’t mentioned in later articles and so forth.

Hilda and Henrietta were both alive when the young bull and the four month old calf were imported in April 1954. It was noted Sir Edward Hallstrom had purchased the bull (the primary objective of the import) for the zoo and would purchase the calf if a price could be agreed.

My impression is the animal dealers of this era seized the opportunity to capture anything they thought could be of interest while capturing to order and offered the hippo calf knowing it was a novelty. Hippos usually arrived as adults and the zoo having not bred one in many years likely recognised it as a potential crowd puller.

I don’t like to imagine it’s chances up against any of the three adults, so perhaps it was raised in the petting zoo during its infancy and since it towered over the barnyard animals, providing comfort through companionship to them etc. it was named Mumsy? Just a theory!