Australasian Hippopotamus Population - Discussion, History and Research

[Jambo]

The integration of Harold and Primrose with Brindabella and her calf was accidental. The former pair broke down a barrier dividing the exhibit.

The barrier wouldn't have been more than a wooden fence or something along the lines of that. One side of the original ponds can be seen on the Safari tour; to the right of the drivethrough pond.

We can assume the previous groupings (at the time of 1999) were; Beatrice, Brindabella and Genevieve and Primrose, with Harry off display. I'd assume Makoko was probably imported, due to space opening up following the passing of Genevieve, and so would've been grouped with Primrose. Harry may have then been moved in with Beatrice and Brindabella to breed. Beatrice died at a young age, so it's likely she may have died during childbirth.

 

[Zoofan15]

We can assume the previous groupings (at the time of 1999) were; Beatrice, Brindabella and Genevieve and Primrose, with Harry off display. I'd assume Makoko was probably imported, due to space opening up following the passing of Genevieve, and so would've been grouped with Primrose. Harry may have then been moved in with Beatrice and Brindabella to breed. Beatrice died at a young age, so it's likely she may have died during childbirth.

It’s interesting to note that Makoko died the month after Primrose gave birth to Tulip.

I’m not sure who he was grouped with at the time of his death, but I’d assume he hadn’t been with Primrose for sometime as she was with Harold in February/March 2002 to conceive Tulip.

Possibly, Harold and Primrose shared an exhibit space, with Primrose separated to give birth to Tulip. Their separation may have necessitated Brindabella and Makoko to be merged together.

 

[Jambo]

It’s interesting to note that Makoko died the month after Primrose gave birth to Tulip.

I’m not sure who he was grouped with at the time of his death, but I’d assume he hadn’t been with Primrose for sometime as she was with Harold in February/March 2002 to conceive Tulip.

Possibly, Harold and Primrose shared an exhibit space, with Primrose separated to give birth to Tulip. Their separation may have necessitated Brindabella and Makoko to be merged together.

Harry and Primrose were definitely grouped as a pair; and we can thus assume Brindabella and Makoko were then grouped together (assuming they no longer used the off display enclosure).

Harry would've then had to have been grouped with Brindabella and Makoko following Primrose giving birth to Tulip, and it's possible he clashed with the young male. Grouping two males together isn't ideal, but likely would have had to have been done to ensure the safety of Tulip.

 

[Zoofan15]

Harry and Primrose were definitely grouped as a pair; and we can thus assume Brindabella and Makoko were then grouped together (assuming they no longer used the off display enclosure).

Harry would've then had to have been grouped with Brindabella and Makoko following Primrose giving birth to Tulip, and it's possible he clashed with the young male. Grouping two males together isn't ideal, but likely would have had to have been done to ensure the safety of Tulip.

I also remembered that Primrose accidentally crushed her young calf to death on 02/05/2002. This was less than a month before she and Harold breeched the barrier separating Brindabella and Kijana and killed him.

Since we know Brindabella and Kijana were held in a seperate exhibit, it’d be interesting to know if Harold was housed with Primrose and the newborn; or if he was briefly housed with the then four year old Makoko - and then reintroduced to Primrose following the death of her calf. The second option seems more probable given he’d have likely killed Primrose’s calf on the first day.

According to the information we have, Tulip was the first surviving calf since 1990 - so they were understandably keen to isolate mothers along with their newborns, as is best practice.

 

[Jambo]

I also remembered that Primrose accidentally crushed her young calf to death on 02/05/2002. This was less than a month before she and Harold breeched the barrier separating Brindabella and Kijana and killed him.

Since we know Brindabella and Kijana were held in a seperate exhibit, it’d be interesting to know if Harold was housed with Primrose and the newborn; or if he was briefly housed with the then four year old Makoko - and then reintroduced to Primrose following the death of her calf. The second option seems more probable given he’d have likely killed Primrose’s calf on the first day.

According to the information we have, Tulip was the first surviving calf since 1990 - so they were understandably keen to isolate mothers along with their newborns, as is best practice.

Considering moving hippos can be rather risky and hard to do, I don't necessarily think Harry was separated from Primrose. They were apparently a rather close pair.

As far as I know, he was in with Tulip when she was rather young too. They lived as a trio with Brindabella separated. When the new hippo enclosure opened in 2006, they attempted to introduce the four altogether, but Brindabella just didn't get along well with them. She lived by herself for many years, but spent some time with Harry.

 

[Zoofan15]

Considering moving hippos can be rather risky and hard to do, I don't necessarily think Harry was separated from Primrose. They were apparently a rather close pair.

As far as I know, he was in with Tulip when she was rather young too. They lived as a trio with Brindabella separated. When the new hippo enclosure opened in 2006, they attempted to introduce the four altogether, but Brindabella just didn't get along well with them. She lived by herself for many years, but spent some time with Harry.

According to comments on here, Harold was housed separately from Primrose and Tulip and only reintroduced to her for mating. This is evidenced by the five year age gap between Tulip and Lotus. It would have been possible for Primrose to give anytime from the second half of 2004 had her and Harold been housed together.

Apparently Brindabella was bullied by the others. Since we know Beatrice (her mother) died in 2001 and Genevieve died around 1999/2000, it appears the zoo had two mother/daughter dyads which is interesting. Ideally these would have been managed separately.

 

[Jambo]

According to comments on here, Harold was housed separately from Primrose and Tulip and only reintroduced to her for mating. This is evidenced by the five year age gap between Tulip and Lotus. It would have been possible for Primrose to give anytime from the second half of 2004 had her and Harold been housed together.

Apparently Brindabella was bullied by the others. Since we know Beatrice (her mother) died in 2001 and Genevieve died around 1999/2000, it appears the zoo had two mother/daughter dyads which is interesting. Ideally these would have been managed separately.

That's right. Since they initially had two dams/paddocks, Harry would've had to have been grouped with Brindabella then.

It'll be interesting to know whether Tulip was in with Harry and Primrose when they were paired to mate. I believe Tulip was in with Primrose (and Lotus) when Lotus was young.

Since Brindabella was 'bullied' we can assume Harry was often kept with Genevieve, and thus, formed a close bond to Primrose.

 

[Zoofan15]

That's right. Since they initially had two dams/paddocks, Harry would've had to have been grouped with Brindabella then.

It'll be interesting to know whether Tulip was in with Harry and Primrose when they were paired to mate. I believe Tulip was in with Primrose (and Lotus) when Lotus was young.

Since Brindabella was 'bullied' we can assume Harry was often kept with Genevieve, and thus, formed a close bond to Primrose.

Primrose was initially separated from Tulip when Lotus was a newborn, with Tulip rejoining them once Lotus was a few month old - the same as has been done at Taronga Western Plains Zoo with Cuddles and her offspring.

Once these three were integrated together, Harold and Brindabella were held in seperate exhibits - but reintroduced for mating in early 2011. Brindabella gave birth to a calf in August 2011 that didn’t survive the birth process.

 

[Jambo]

Primrose was initially separated from Tulip when Lotus was a newborn, with Tulip rejoining them once Lotus was a few month old - the same as has been done at Taronga Western Plains Zoo with Cuddles and her offspring.

Once these three were integrated together, Harold and Brindabella were held in seperate exhibits - but reintroduced for mating in early 2011. Brindabella gave birth to a calf in August 2011 that didn’t survive the birth process.

It's interesting that Tulip was successfully reintroduced to Primrose and Lotus, when Lotus was still rather young (a few months old). The chance that Tulip may have killed Lotus would've still been there.

Yes, Brindabella was always kept in the middle enclosure, which is the smallest enclosure, and has been empty for many years now.

Werribee could easily accomodate a bull, with three enclosures. Obviously Monarto has plans for a much bigger complex with Kani being sent there.

 

[Zoofan15]

Darling Downs Zoo - Import Cancelled

Thank you to @Zorro for the update that Darling Downs Zoo’s planned import of a male Pygmy hippopotamus has been cancelled due to the European zoo not being prepared to adhere to Australia's strict import protocols.

Hugely disappointing news, but hopefully another import can be lined up in the future.

 

[Steve Robinson]

Darling Downs Zoo - Import Cancelled

Thank you to @Zorro for the update that Darling Downs Zoo’s planned import of a male Pygmy hippopotamus has been cancelled due to the European zoo not being prepared to adhere to Australia's strict import protocols.

Hugely disappointing news, but hopefully another import can be lined up in the future.

Working on it!!!!!