Australasian Hippo Population

[Jambo]

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.


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!

That sounds about right re. Dizzie and Fatima. Dizzie was already in his mid 50’s, and so would’ve been born the late 1890’s! Fatima also had spent time at Cairo Zoo before her arrival to Taronga around 1930, so she may have been an older female too.

Do you have any idea on what happened to Hilda and Henrietta? One must’ve at least lived until the late 60’s, as one sired Albert/Brutus (born 1965).

Mumsy’s case is interesting. I think you may be right, re. her being raised in a petting zoo. I’d say that’s the safest assumption, otherwise it would be tough to imagine her surviving with the other adults, unless she was kept separately. Being one of the largest animals in the petting zoo she would’ve been like a ‘Mum’ to the others. She could’ve also had a very caring personality hence the name, but that’s all up for interpretation.

Do you also have any idea on Ollie and his parentage?

 

[Zoofan15]

That sounds about right re. Dizzie and Fatima. Dizzie was already in his mid 50’s, and so would’ve been born the late 1890’s! Fatima also had spent time at Cairo Zoo before her arrival to Taronga around 1930, so she may have been an older female too.

Do you have any idea on what happened to Hilda and Henrietta? One must’ve at least lived until the late 60’s, as one sired Albert/Brutus (born 1965).

Mumsy’s case is interesting. I think you may be right, re. her being raised in a petting zoo. I’d say that’s the safest assumption, otherwise it would be tough to imagine her surviving with the other adults, unless she was kept separately. Being one of the largest animals in the petting zoo she would’ve been like a ‘Mum’ to the others. She could’ve also had a very caring personality hence the name, but that’s all up for interpretation.

Do you also have any idea on Ollie and his parentage?

Dizzie led an interesting life. He was wild caught in Africa and purchased by Wirth’s Circus where he lived for a few years. He was then sold to the original Sydney Zoo at Moore Park from where he was transferred in 1916 to what is now Taronga Zoo.

I haven’t been able to find any further mention of Hilda and Henrietta beyond their names in a 1953 article and a note that Taronga held two adult females in April 1954. An article detailing their arrival stated the elder female was full grown (between 5-13 years of age); while the other was around a year old. It’s hard to say how accurate this age assessment on the older cow was and she may have actually been 20+ when she arrived. I’d also say it’s likely they were mother and calf but have found nothing to confirm or disprove this.

I know nothing about Ollie other than he was transferred to Dubbo in 1979, three years after the initial transfer of 1.2 Common hippopotamus. I don’t know whether this was because he was too young to leave his mother in 1976 or whether Dubbo being a new zoo didn’t have the facilities to house two bulls until a few years in. I’d say it’s likely he was sired by Billy as opposed to a first generation bull (som of Billy) as most Taronga bred bull hippos appear to have been transferred out (presumably to avoid fighting within Billy). His mother could have been a number of cows.

It’d be interesting to know if Bonnie bred at Taronga. She was born there in 1957, but wasn’t exported until nine years later in 1966. Her daughter Faith produced her first calf at the age of three, so there was plenty of time for Bonnie to have bred.

 

[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.

Just some interesting notes on Brutus's past from an article I found:

The article details Brutus's interesting past, including an incident at Adelaide where he crashed through a metal gate and killed a neighbouring water buffalo.

At Bacchus Marsh, Brutus also killed multiple animals, including a goat, another water buffalo and a performing pig. There was also an incident where he ripped the head of a neighbouring camel! He was quite a ferocious young animal.

After the incident at Adelaide, Adelaide were apparently shocked to learn more about his past. Who knows, but if they had initially known about his past, they may never have bought him being as they called him, a 'problem animal'.

 

[Zoofan15]

Just some interesting notes on Brutus's past from an article I found:

The article details Brutus's interesting past, including an incident at Adelaide where he crashed through a metal gate and killed a neighbouring water buffalo.

At Bacchus Marsh, Brutus also killed multiple animals, including a goat, another water buffalo and a performing pig. There was also an incident where he ripped the head of a neighbouring camel! He was quite a ferocious young animal.

After the incident at Adelaide, Adelaide were apparently shocked to learn more about his past. Who knows, but if they had initially known about his past, they may never have bought him being as they called him, a 'problem animal'.

I’d heard about the Water buffalo and the Dromedary camel, but the others are news to me. Not surprising given the nature of the hippo though.

News articles I’ve found from Taronga detail the Common hippopotamus as becoming tame in captivity, yet socially schizophrenic. Dizzy was reportedly so docile, staff could sit on top of him.

Paternity confirmed:

I also discovered that Albert/Brutus was born to Billy and Mumsy.

This fills in a number of blanks as it confirms that Mumsy was wild born (she was likely the four month old calf imported in 1954); while Billy can be 100% confirmed as the sire of Suzie/Victoria (1967) and Susie (1970) via the studbook. Billy was almost certainly the sire of several others including Bonnie, Ollie etc.

Source: Remembering Brutus - Zoos SA

 

[Jambo]

I’d heard about the Water buffalo and the Dromedary camel, but the others are news to me. Not surprising given the nature of the hippo though.

News articles I’ve found from Taronga detail the Common hippopotamus as becoming tame in captivity, yet socially schizophrenic. Dizzy was reportedly so docile, staff could sit on top of him.

Paternity confirmed:

I also discovered that Albert/Brutus was born to Billy and Mumsy.

This fills in a number of blanks as it confirms that Mumsy was wild born (she was likely the four month old calf imported in 1954); while Billy can be 100% confirmed as the sire of Suzie/Victoria (1967) and Susie (1970) via the studbook. Billy was almost certainly the sire of several others including Bonnie, Ollie etc.

Source: Remembering Brutus - Zoos SA

Dizzie’s long lifespan could’ve also been attributed to the fact that keepers could get so close to him. It’s interesting to know he didn’t do so well with other hippos though. I’d imagine this may have been due to him growing up around humans and never being around hippos until fatima arrived, which was he was already in his 30’s.

Yes, that’s right I had read that before which is why I had previously thought Mumsy was a mother at Taronga. From Dubbo photos in the 70’s, it also appears there was a juvenile calf present so considering Suzie (1970) was too old, it must’ve been Ollie who may have been born in the mid 70’s. Possibly another son of Mumsy’s?

I also have some really interesting info on Werribee and Melbourne’s hippos that I’ll share later.

 

[Zoofan15]

Dizzie’s long lifespan could’ve also been attributed to the fact that keepers could get so close to him. It’s interesting to know he didn’t do so well with other hippos though. I’d imagine this may have been due to him growing up around humans and never being around hippos until fatima arrived, which was he was already in his 30’s.

Yes, that’s right I had read that before which is why I had previously thought Mumsy was a mother at Taronga. From Dubbo photos in the 70’s, it also appears there was a juvenile calf present so considering Suzie (1970) was too old, it must’ve been Ollie who may have been born in the mid 70’s. Possibly another son of Mumsy’s?

I also have some really interesting info on Werribee and Melbourne’s hippos that I’ll share later.

It appears Dizzy was reasonably successful as a breeder. He successfully bred with Fatima three times and impregnated a further cow in the 1950’s prior to his death.

Toby was born at Taronga (probably early 70’s) as he was transferred to Dubbo in 1976. I’d assume Toby was Lindy’s son; and Ollie was Mumsy’s son based on later pairings, but it’s hard to say for sure.

Toby’s calves included Happy, Harold and Daisy (all via Suzie).

I look forward to hearing any information - especially on the Werribee hippos. Primrose’s mother has been a mystery up until now. I’m thinking she was also a Taronga bred cow given she didn’t come from Adelaide. Either she or Brindabella’s mother was the dam of the bull sent to Tipperary who died in transit.

 

[Jambo]

It appears Dizzy was reasonably successful as a breeder. He successfully bred with Fatima three times and impregnated a further cow in the 1950’s prior to his death.

Toby was born at Taronga (probably early 70’s) as he was transferred to Dubbo in 1976. I’d assume Toby was Lindy’s son; and Ollie was Mumsy’s son based on later pairings, but it’s hard to say for sure.

Toby’s calves included Happy, Harold and Daisy (all via Suzie).

I look forward to hearing any information - especially on the Werribee hippos. Primrose’s mother has been a mystery up until now. I’m thinking she was also a Taronga bred cow given she didn’t come from Adelaide. Either she or Brindabella’s mother was the dam of the bull sent to Tipperary who died in transit.

Toby and Ollie's parentage sounds about right then. Toby must've been quite a young male at the time as photos show a rather juvenile looking bull which can't have been Harold, who would've been much smaller. If he was Lindy's son he would've been Suzie's full brother, meaning the calves were fully inbred.

 

[Zoofan15]

Toby and Ollie's parentage sounds about right then. Toby must've been quite a young male at the time as photos show a rather juvenile looking bull which can't have been Harold, who would've been much smaller. If he was Lindy's son he would've been Suzie's full brother, the female he had calves with.

Their studbook numbers imply that Ollie (1080) was older than Toby (1121). Although the studbook numbers are erratic between facilities, they’re usually chronologically consistent within a facility e.g. Dubbo, where they both arrived within three years of each other.

Toby was chosen to breed with Suzie (even when Ollie was on site). This makes me think that they had different mothers; and Ollie was only later used after Toby had passed and the alternative was to breed Suzie with her sons.

 

[Jambo]

Their studbook numbers imply that Ollie (1080) was older than Toby (1121). Although the studbook numbers are erratic between facilities, they’re usually chronologically consistent within a facility e.g. Dubbo, where they both arrived within three years of each other.

Toby was chosen to breed with Suzie (even when Ollie was on site). This makes me think that they had different mothers and Toby was used after Ollie passed away and the only alternative was Suzie’s sons.

Nope, I just discovered from an old keepers journal online that apparently Ollie was eight at the time of his son Mana's birth (1988). It seems he could've been a son of Mumsy's.

 

[Zoofan15]

Nope, I just discovered from an old keepers journal online that apparently Ollie was eight at the time of his son Mana's birth (1988). It seems he could've been a son of Mumsy's.

Can you post the link here? I’d love to read it.

Also, wasn’t Mana born 1996? I have his DOB 31/03/1996.

 

[Jambo]

Can you post the link here? I’d love to read it.

Also, wasn’t Mana born 1996?

It's from the Victorian State library archives, but i'll get it up. I'll also post an abstract for those who can't access it.

State Library of Victoria, Access from home, Log in

THE zoo's newest arrival is a baby hippopotamus called Mana, after the Mana Pools in Zimbabwe. Keepers don't yet know the baby's sex because its mother Susie has kept it well out of sight. The little hippo was born under water but Susie steered it into the shallows where she nursed it until it became comfortable in the deeper water. Mana's birth brings the common hippopotamus population at Dubbo Zoo to eight. Susie, 26, was born at Taronga Zoo. The baby's father Ollie, who has been taken out of the exhibit area, is eight and was born at Western Plains.

Ollie was apparently born at Dubbo in 1988. His mother must have been Mumsy.

 

[Zoofan15]

It's from the Victorian State library archives, but i'll get it up, but i'll also post an abstract for those who can't access it.

State Library of Victoria, Access from home, Log in

THE zoo's newest arrival is a baby hippopotamus called Mana, after the Mana Pools in Zimbabwe. Keepers don't yet know the baby's sex because its mother Susie has kept it well out of sight. The little hippo was born under water but Susie steered it into the shallows where she nursed it until it became comfortable in the deeper water. Mana's birth brings the common hippopotamus population at Dubbo Zoo to eight. Susie, 26, was born at Taronga Zoo. The baby's father Ollie, who has been taken out of the exhibit area, is eight and was born at Western Plains.

Ollie was apparently born at Dubbo in 1988. His mother must have been Mumsy.

Interesting. I wonder who the bull was (who we all assumed was Ollie) who transferred from Taronga in 1979. We can probably assume he died young given he never sired calves.

The article mentions Dubbo had eight hippopotami in 1996.

Confirmed to be at Dubbo at this time were:

0.1 Suzie (1970)
1.0 Happy (1985) Toby x Suzie
0.1 Rumbin (1986) Albert x Victoria
1.0 Ollie (1987 or 1988)
0.1 Mafuta (1991) Happy x Rumbin
1.0 Mana (1996) Ollie x Suzie

I don’t know whether either Billy or Lindy were still alive four years after their transfer.

 

[Jambo]

Interesting. I wonder who the bull was (who we all assumed was Ollie) who transferred from Taronga in 1979. The article mentions Dubbo had eight hippopotami in 1996.

Confirmed to be at Dubbo at this time were:

0.1 Suzie (1970)
1.0 Happy (1985)
0.1 Rumbin (1986)
1.0 Ollie (1987 or 1988)
0.1 Mafuta (1991)
1.0 Mana (1996) Ollie x Suzie

Not entirely sure who that bull was, but it might have been another of Billy's sons.

The other two hippos would be have to be out of Mumsy, Billy or Lindy. All three would've been in their 40's and could've well and truly still been alive.

It's interesting to know Ollie was a Dubbo bred hippo though, his mother seems to likely have been Mumsy as there were no any other options at the time. It confirms the fact that Mumsy was still well and alive in the late 80's, and breeding, as I otherwise thought she must've died soon after the 1976 transfer from Taronga.

 

[Zoofan15]

Not entirely sure who that bull was, but it might have been another of Billy's sons.

The other two hippos would be have to be out of Mumsy, Billy or Lindy. All three would've been in their 40's and could've well and truly still been alive.

It's interesting to know Ollie was a Dubbo bred hippo though, his mother seems to likely have been Mumsy as there were no any other options at the time. It confirms the fact that Mumsy was still well and alive in the late 80's, and breeding, as I otherwise thought she must've died soon after the 1976 transfer from Taronga.

I’d agree Mumsy was his dam with near certainty. If she was born 1949 approx, she would have been close to 40 when Ollie was born, which is still possible. Lindy bred for the last time in 1993 aged 38 years.

Suzie fits the dates, but considering she was paired with Ollie multiple times for breeding it’s unlikely they’d consciously and repeatedly breed a mother and son when they had more distantly related hippos (e.g. Rumbin) to pair the bulls with.

This was a time period well before things reached crisis point in the region and there was no shortage of hippos to go around.

 

[Jambo]

I’d agree Mumsy was his dam with near certainty. If she was born 1949 approx, she would have been close to 40 when Ollie was born, which is still possible. Lindy bred for the last time in 1993 aged 38 years.

Suzie fits the dates, but considering she was paired with Ollie multiple times for breeding it’s unlikely they’d consciously and repeatedly breed a mother and son when they had more distantly related hippos (e.g. Rumbin) to pair the bulls with.

This was a time period well before things reached crisis point in the region and there was no shortage of hippos to go around.

Mumsy was the young hippo from the 1954 import wasn't she? From news articles, she or this hippo was initially named Elizabeth but it's highely likely her name could've been changed. If she was born in early 1954, she would've been only in her mid 30's at the time of Ollie's birth which seems perfectly reasonable.

 

[Jambo]

Information i've gathered (so far) regarding the Australian hippo population:

Info is listed regarding which zoo it refers to.

Melbourne Zoo:

• Melbourne welcomed a female calf named Millie (born 05/02/1969). She was hand raised by keepers after being rejected by her mother and was believed to have been the first hand raised hippo in zoological history.
• In 1961, a thirty year old female hippo, Esmeralda died after swallowing a tennis ball. Her death followed hippo deaths at Perth, Adelaide and Auckland which were also caused by swallowing the tennis ball.

Adelaide Zoo:

• A female, Kibu, was sent to Zoo Negara in 1992. She later bred there. It's assumed she was the calf born there in 1989.

Taronga Zoo:

• Fatima arrived from the Cairo Zoo in 1932. She was born there in 1928. At Cairo, she killed her younger sister, leading to her removal and departure to Taronga.
• A newspaper article stated Sheba was to be sent to Auckland once she grew up to join her older sister (Puddles/Nada). This never eventuated.
• In the winter of 1943, Fatima (then 15) and her offspring named 'Nero' died from pnemonia. I don't think Nero was 'Bardia' born 1941, more so a calf born late 1942.
• A female hippo apparently arrived to Taronga from the wild in 1946. I'm not sure what happened to her. In 1950, Taronga held two hippos. I'm assuming these were this female and Dizzie. She likely died soon after leading to the import of the two cows from Kenya in 1951.
• In 1954, Taronga imported two hippos. A male, Phillip or Billy who was around four years old. And then a younger three and a half month old female, who was then named Elizabeth. Elizabeth may be 'Mumsy'.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo:

• Ollie was born in 1988, to Toby/Unamed and Suzie/Daisy. He could've been the offspring of the other bull sent to Dubbo in 1976 with Mumsy, although it's assumed he was more likely the offspring of Toby due to the low numbers of hippos held at the time (the other male couldn't have been there).
• At the time of Happy's birth in 1985, Dubbo had four hippos. This is interesting as Suzie, Happy and Daisy were the three confirmed individuals. The other one would have to be Mumsy, but that would mean Ollie (1988) would've had to have been sired by Happy as Toby would've been deceased. If Mumsy wasn't the mother of Ollie though, Suzie would've had to have been. Daisy is a reach, but considering they exported her soon after Ollie's birth, it wouldn't make much sense.

And finally, Werribee Open Range Zoo:

• On January 3, 1989, Beatrice gave birth to a male calf sired by Harry. Beatrice is the mother of either Brindabella/Primrose, but i'm leaning towards Brindabella just because of the 'B'. Beatrice may have been the Adelaide female if so.
• The same male may have survived at least up until 2000. In 2000, Werribee had four hippos. Two males and of course the two females (Brindabella and Primrose). One of the males was Harry, but the other might've been this male born in 1989 to Beatrice, assuming he survived. The male presumably died before 2006, when they moved to the new, current enclosure.

 

[Zorro]

Information i've gathered (so far) regarding the Australian hippo population:

Info is listed regarding which zoo it refers to.

Melbourne Zoo:

• Melbourne welcomed a female calf named Millie (born 05/02/1969). She was hand raised by keepers after being rejected by her mother and was believed to have been the first hand raised hippo in zoological history.
• In 1961, a thirty year old female hippo, Esmeralda died after swallowing a tennis ball. Her death followed hippo deaths at Perth, Adelaide and Auckland which were also caused by swallowing the tennis ball.

Adelaide Zoo:

• A female, Kibu, was sent to Zoo Negara in 1992. She later bred there. It's assumed she was the calf born there in 1989.

Taronga Zoo:

• Fatima arrived from the Cairo Zoo in 1932. She was born there in 1928. At Cairo, she killed her younger sister, leading to her removal and departure to Taronga.
• A newspaper article stated Sheba was to be sent to Auckland once she grew up to join her older sister (Puddles/Nada). This never eventuated.
• In the winter of 1943, Fatima (then 15) and her offspring named 'Nero' died from pnemonia. I don't think Nero was 'Bardia' born 1941, more so a calf born late 1942.
• A female hippo apparently arrived to Taronga from the wild in 1946. I'm not sure what happened to her. In 1950, Taronga held two hippos. I'm assuming these were this female and Dizzie. She likely died soon after leading to the import of the two cows from Kenya in 1951.
• In 1954, Taronga imported two hippos. A male, Phillip or Billy who was around four years old. And then a younger three and a half month old female, who was then named Elizabeth. Elizabeth may be 'Mumsy'.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo:

• Ollie was born in 1988, to Toby/Unamed and Mumsy. He could've been the offspring of the other bull sent to Dubbo in 1976 with Mumsy, although it's assumed he was more likely the offspring of Toby due to the low numbers of hippos held at the time (the male couldn't have been there).
• At the time of Happy's birth in 1985, Dubbo had four hippos. This is interesting as Suzie, Happy and Daisy were the three confirmed individuals. The other one would have to be Mumsy, but that would mean Ollie (1988) would've had to have been sired by Happy as Toby would've been deceased. If Mumsy wasn't the mother of Ollie though, Suzie would've had to have been. Daisy is a reach, but considering they exported her soon after Ollie's birth, it wouldn't make much sense. I'm leaning towards the fact that the fourth hippo at the time was Mumsy, meaning Happy must've sired Ollie.

And finally, Werribee Open Range Zoo:

• On January 3, 1989, Beatrice gave birth to a male calf sired by Harry. Beatrice is the mother of either Brindabella/Primrose, but i'm leaning towards Brindabella just because of the 'B'. Beatrice may have been the Adelaide female if so.
• The same male may have survived at least up until 2000. In 2000, Werribee had four hippos. Two males and of course the two females (Brindabella and Primrose). One of the males was Harry, but the other might've been this male born in 1989 to Beatrice, assuming he survived. The male presumably died before 2006, when they moved to the new, current enclosure.

Thank you for your research

 

[Zoofan15]

Information i've gathered (so far) regarding the Australian hippo population:

Info is listed regarding which zoo it refers to.

Melbourne Zoo:

• Melbourne welcomed a female calf named Millie (born 05/02/1969). She was hand raised by keepers after being rejected by her mother and was believed to have been the first hand raised hippo in zoological history.
• In 1961, a thirty year old female hippo, Esmeralda died after swallowing a tennis ball. Her death followed hippo deaths at Perth, Adelaide and Auckland which were also caused by swallowing the tennis ball.

Adelaide Zoo:

• A female, Kibu, was sent to Zoo Negara in 1992. She later bred there. It's assumed she was the calf born there in 1989.

Taronga Zoo:

• Fatima arrived from the Cairo Zoo in 1932. She was born there in 1928. At Cairo, she killed her younger sister, leading to her removal and departure to Taronga.
• A newspaper article stated Sheba was to be sent to Auckland once she grew up to join her older sister (Puddles/Nada). This never eventuated.
• In the winter of 1943, Fatima (then 15) and her offspring named 'Nero' died from pnemonia. I don't think Nero was 'Bardia' born 1941, more so a calf born late 1942.
• A female hippo apparently arrived to Taronga from the wild in 1946. I'm not sure what happened to her. In 1950, Taronga held two hippos. I'm assuming these were this female and Dizzie. She likely died soon after leading to the import of the two cows from Kenya in 1951.
• In 1954, Taronga imported two hippos. A male, Phillip or Billy who was around four years old. And then a younger three and a half month old female, who was then named Elizabeth. Elizabeth may be 'Mumsy'.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo:

• Ollie was born in 1988, to Toby/Unamed and Mumsy. He could've been the offspring of the other bull sent to Dubbo in 1976 with Mumsy, although it's assumed he was more likely the offspring of Toby due to the low numbers of hippos held at the time (the male couldn't have been there).
• At the time of Happy's birth in 1985, Dubbo had four hippos. This is interesting as Suzie, Happy and Daisy were the three confirmed individuals. The other one would have to be Mumsy, but that would mean Ollie (1988) would've had to have been sired by Happy as Toby would've been deceased. If Mumsy wasn't the mother of Ollie though, Suzie would've had to have been. Daisy is a reach, but considering they exported her soon after Ollie's birth, it wouldn't make much sense. I'm leaning towards the fact that the fourth hippo at the time was Mumsy, meaning Happy must've sired Ollie.

And finally, Werribee Open Range Zoo:

• On January 3, 1989, Beatrice gave birth to a male calf sired by Harry. Beatrice is the mother of either Brindabella/Primrose, but i'm leaning towards Brindabella just because of the 'B'. Beatrice may have been the Adelaide female if so.
• The same male may have survived at least up until 2000. In 2000, Werribee had four hippos. Two males and of course the two females (Brindabella and Primrose). One of the males was Harry, but the other might've been this male born in 1989 to Beatrice, assuming he survived. The male presumably died before 2006, when they moved to the new, current enclosure.

Good work @Jambo!

I would guess that Beatrice was the mother of Brindabella based on the fact Brindabella’s maternal grandparent’s names were originally Victoria and Albert. The real life Victoria and Albert were known for their many children (one of which was called Beatrice). When the hippopotamus pair gained a similar reputation, perhaps this inspired the name choice of their daughter.

Toby was still at Dubbo in 1988 when Ollie was born. We know this because Toby sired a calf to Suzie that was stillborn in February 1990. If the news article was accurate in stating the zoo had four hippos in 1985, this suggests Mumsy was deceased - as we have confirmation that Suzie, Toby, Daisy and Happy were there in 1985.

 

[Jambo]

Good work @Jambo!

I would guess that Beatrice was the mother of Brindabella based on the fact Brindabella’s maternal grandparent’s names were originally Victoria and Albert. The real life Victoria and Albert were known for their many children (one of which was called Beatrice). When the hippopotamus pair gained a similar reputation, perhaps this inspired the name choice of their daughter.

Toby was still at Dubbo in 1988 when Ollie was born. We know this because Toby sired a calf to Suzie that was stillborn in February 1990. If the news article was accurate in stating the zoo had four hippos in 1985, this suggests Mumsy was deceased - as we have confirmation that Suzie, Toby, Daisy and Happy were there in 1985.

Thanks!

That would make a lot of sense re. Beatrice. Primrose's mother must've been one of Taronga's females then. At the time of Happy's birth (1977), she was apparently Taronga's 12 successful birth. Nada, Sheba, Bardia, Nero, Lindy, Brutus, Victoria, Suzie and Bonnie are the ones we're aware of. There's two more hippo calves we're unaware of that could've possibly been Primrose's mother. Or, to a stretch, maybe Primrose's mother could've been Mumsy? Maybe she arrived from Dubbo with Harry initially as the intended pair. It would make sense if she was Toby's mother.

Okay, that seems to point out then that Mumsy wasn't there in 1985; she was either deceased or exported. That would mean then that Ollie was the offspring of Suzie. Or maybe even, Daisy?

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks!

That would make a lot of sense re. Beatrice. Primrose's mother must've been one of Taronga's females then. At the time of Happy's birth (1977), she was apparently Taronga's 12 successful birth. Nada, Sheba, Bardia, Nero, Lindy, Brutus, Victoria, Suzie and Bonnie are the ones we're aware of. There's two more hippo calves we're unaware of that could've possibly been Primrose's mother. Or, to a stretch, maybe Primrose's mother could've been Mumsy? Maybe she arrived from Dubbo with Harry initially as the intended pair. It would make sense if she was Toby's mother.

I found this note re. Taronga bred offspring from October 1980:

Little Louise is two weeks old and comes from a long and successful line of Taronga Zoo hippos. Father, Billy, came to Taronga in 1954 and has sired seven healthy young. This is the fourth successful birth since 1967 for mother, Lindy. Taronga has supplied hippos to zoos throughout Australia and New Zealand, including all the hippos now at the Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo.

Up Boss Baby Louise -- Lindy with her 2 week old daughter... News Photo - Getty Images

The seven offspring sired by Billy appear to be: Lindy (1954), Bonnie (1957), Albert (1965), Victoria (1967), Suzie (1970), Toby (Unknown) and Louise (1980). However, the male Taronga transferred to Dubbo in 1979 was presumably Taronga born, so I’m wondering if he remained at Taronga for a while prior and sired at least one of the offspring born there (or vice versa was sired by Toby).

Additionally, Happy (1977) was apparently Lindy’s third successful calf (this article states Louise was her fourth), so she either Happy survived to 1980 (to be counted as successful); or Lindy had a calf between in 1978 or 1979.

Okay, that seems to point out then that Mumsy wasn't there in 1985; she was either deceased or exported. That would mean then that Ollie was the offspring of Suzie. Or maybe even, Daisy?

Daisy is a possibility. If Ollie was eight in March 1996, that means he could have been born anytime from April 1987 to March 1988. That could have made him anything up to 2.5 years old upon Daisy’s transfer in October 1989. By this age, a mother would have weaned her calf and could even have had another.