Birmingham Zoo (Alabama) Common Hippo History

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Chris Sand

New Member
I grew up watching Mama Petite and Tadpole, Birmingham Zoo's last common hippos. Mama passed in 2007 and Tadpole last year. I have found information stating they produced roughly 9 calves. I know for sure one calf was female born Easter Day (4/11) 1993 aptly named "Bunny."
I'm sure her name has changed when she was transferred, but I am hoping to find some of their descendants. I miss seeing those two and would love to keep up with any offspring I can find across the country.

Mama Petite was c.1957 and wild caught in 1959, whereas Tadpole was born in Oct. 1978 at the Houston Zoo.
I am also curious about Tadpole's lineage and who his parents could have been. There is not enough information on our hippos, so if anyone knows anything, I would greatly appreciate it!
 
Chris Sand said:
Mama Petite was c.1957 and wild caught in 1959, whereas Tadpole was born in Oct. 1978 at the Houston Zoo.
I am also curious about Tadpole's lineage and who his parents could have been. There is not enough information on our hippos, so if anyone knows anything, I would greatly appreciate it!
Click to expand...
According to the North American Nile Hippopotamus Studbook, "Tadpole" was born at Houston Zoo on 22nd October 1978 and he was transferred to Birmingham Zoo on 16th June 1979. His father was "Uebi" (wild caught 1959); his mother was "Durka" (wild caught 1957).
Chris Sand said:
I grew up watching Mama Petite and Tadpole, Birmingham Zoo's last common hippos. Mama passed in 2007 and Tadpole last year. I have found information stating they produced roughly 9 calves. I know for sure one calf was female born Easter Day (4/11) 1993 aptly named "Bunny."
I'm sure her name has changed when she was transferred, but I am hoping to find some of their descendants. I miss seeing those two and would love to keep up with any offspring I can find across the country., so if anyone knows anything, I would greatly appreciate it!
Click to expand...
In my copy of the studbook (2011 edition), I can only find five calves born to "Tadpole" x "Petite".

  • male born 19th July 1984
  • female born 29th November 1986
  • female born 12th April 1990 (died same day)
  • male born 11th April 1993
  • female born 26th November 1994 (died 29th November 1994)

Frustratingly, no names are given although, interestingly, the one born 11th April 1993 (presumably "Bunny") is listed as a male.
 
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Tim May said:
According to the North American Nile Hippopotamus Studbook, "Tadpole" was born at Houston Zoo on 22nd October 1978 and he was transferred to Birmingham Zoo on 16th June 1979. His father was "Uebi" (wild caught 1959); his mother was "Durka" (wild caught 1957).

In my copy of the studbook (2011 edition), I can only find five calves born to "Tadpole" x "Petite".

  • male born 19th July 1984
  • female born 29th November 1986
  • female born 12th April 1990 (died same day)
  • male born 11th April 1993
  • female born 26th November 1994 (died 29th November 1994)

Frustratingly, no names are given although, interestingly, the one born 11th April 1993 (presumably "Bunny") is listed as a male.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for this helpful information, I really appreciate it!
Is this studbook available online somewhere? I would love to see it if possible.
Again, thank you for taking the time to check for me!
 
Chris Sand said:
Is this studbook available online somewhere? I would love to see it if possible.
Click to expand...
The North American Nile Hippoptamus Studbook was once available on-line but, unfortunately, it no longer appears to be; I've tried to google it with no success.

If anybody does have an on-line link to it then I too would be very interested please.
 
Tim May said:
The North American Nile Hippoptamus Studbook was once available on-line but, unfortunately, it no longer appears to be; I've tried to google it with no success.

If anybody does have an on-line link to it then I too would be very interested please.
Click to expand...
The studbooks are on the AZA website in the animal programs database. You might need a password to access them.
 
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