Common Hippopotami in Australasian Zoos – News, History and Discussion

[Zoofan15]

Brutus and Susie produced an impressive 14 calves during their time at Adelaide Zoo together. In addition to Brindabella's dam, there was also Rumbin (born 22/02/1986) within our region, who lived at Taronga Western Plains Zoo from 1989 until her death.

According to @jones, they also have relatives outside of the region:


Brutus/Albert (born 1965) and Suzie/Victoria (born 1967) were both born at Taronga Zoo and shared a sire. This bull also sired Susie (born 1970), who was later sent to Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Susie was the dam of Harold, Happy, Mana and Nile.

I was mistaken when I said Brutus and Suzie produced 14 calves; they actually produced 17 calves, including one as recently as 2009:

“In their 45 years here at Adelaide Zoo, Susie and Brutus produced a total of 17 calves in their time, the last one born in 2009. Brutus respected his distance with Susie and the calves, however only 6 of these survived past the first few days of life. Of these 6, only 2 ever bred and all 6 are now deceased. One Granddaughter (Brindabella, born 9 December, 1990) and one great-granddaughter (Pansy/Zawadi, born 18 November 2013) – both at Werribee Zoo, Victoria – are the only surviving descendants of Susie and Brutus at the time of writing.”

You can read the rest of this amazing tribute here: Farewell Brutus: celebrating Adelaide Zoo's incredible hippo

 

[tetrapod]

Interesting that there is mention in the AZ article about Brutus, or Albert as he was known at his time at Bacchus Marsh, had attacked a water buffalo. I remember a news article in a newspaper (I had kept the clipping when I was younger) where he had decapitated a camel which had the temerity to poke it's head over the fence! Definitely brutal.

 

[WhistlingKite24]

Taronga Western Plains Zoo has released a list of the potential names for the new Hippo calf. From the zoo's Facebook page:

We want your help deciding on a name for our male Hippo calf

Our keepers have put together a list of names and would like you to vote for the one you think best suits this male calf.

Options are:

Makena, meaning happy one in Kikyu
Kgosi, meaning king/chief in Tswana
Obi, meaning heart in Igbo
Kubu, meaning rebellion in Tswana
Kani, meaning strength/energy in Kiswahili (Kenya/Tanzania)

You have until 5pm on 19 May to cast your vote and we'll announce the Hippo calf's name on Thursday 21 May.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo

 

[Zoofan15]

Taronga Western Plains Zoo has released a list of the potential names for the new Hippo calf. From the zoo's Facebook page:

Taronga Western Plains Zoo

I hope Kgosi wins. It’s a nice sounding name; has a meaning that confers dignity upon the hippo; and is a continuation of the tradition of naming Cuddles’ offspring with African K names - Kibibi (2014) and Kendi (2017). On that note, I wish they’d give Cuddles an African K name.

I fear Obi will be the crowd favourite. If the calf was born May 4, then fair enough; but since it was born April 15, why have the name of a (Pygmy) hippopotamus already in the region - which by virtue of there being bugger all Pygmy hippos left in Australia, is an iconic zoo animal.

 

[toothlessjaws]

Obi - that's kinda embarrassing it was suggested given there is already a hippo with that name. One gets the sense that these zookeepers think there is about 5 first names in Africa, given how often some of them are recycled for their animals.

 

[Zorro]

I was mistaken when I said Brutus and Suzie produced 14 calves; they actually produced 17 calves, including one as recently as 2009:

“In their 45 years here at Adelaide Zoo, Susie and Brutus produced a total of 17 calves in their time, the last one born in 2009. Brutus respected his distance with Susie and the calves, however only 6 of these survived past the first few days of life. Of these 6, only 2 ever bred and all 6 are now deceased. One Granddaughter (Brindabella, born 9 December, 1990) and one great-granddaughter (Pansy/Zawadi, born 18 November 2013) – both at Werribee Zoo, Victoria – are the only surviving descendants of Susie and Brutus at the time of writing.”

You can read the rest of this amazing tribute here: Farewell Brutus: celebrating Adelaide Zoo's incredible hippo

Would so many calf loses be due to not being able to separate the cow and calf from the bull I know they did not have much space but seems high

 

[Zoofan15]

Would so many calf loses be due to not being able to separate the cow and calf from the bull I know they did not have much space but seems high

That's possible. Infanticide was the leading cause of death amongst the Common hippopotami calves at Auckland Zoo; and I see it being no different if the bull was in the same exhibit as the cow at Adelaide.

The calves at Auckland Zoo that did survive were due to the protective efforts of their mothers; and it was noted that Brutus 'knew to keep his distance', which could suggest that the calves that died were stillborn etc.; and that Susie largely succeeded in protecting the surviving ones. A 35% survival rate arguably wasn't bad considering all factors.

 

[Zorro]

That's possible. Infanticide was the leading cause of death amongst the Common hippopotami calves at Auckland Zoo; and I see it being no different if the bull was in the same exhibit as the cow at Adelaide.

The calves at Auckland Zoo that did survive were due to the protective efforts of their mothers; and it was noted that Brutus 'knew to keep his distance', which could suggest that the calves that died were stillborn etc.; and that Susie largely succeeded in protecting the surviving ones. A 35% survival rate arguably wasn't bad considering all factors.

I believe if Werribee did have a bull on hand with the three large pools and off show holding yards it could almost become a Hippo factory for zoos within our region having the five cows there! lol

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe if Werribee did have a bull on hand with the three large pools and off show holding yards it could almost become a Hippo factory for zoos within our region having the five cows there! lol

Potentially! Infanticide is most common during the calves first two weeks; and related females are less of a risk to the calf than unrelated females. At Taronga Western Plains Zoo for example, they successfully introduced Cuddles and Kendi to her half grown daughter, Kibibi (when Kendi was a few months old).

Since Werribee have two mother/daughter pods of 0.2 and 0.3 - if they sent one of these pods to Dubbo (or Adelaide ), they could repeat the same formula of isolating the mother and newborn away from the sister/grandmother for a few months until the calf was robust enough to rejoin them. The offshow holding yards arguably aren't sufficient to manage animals for an extended period of time, so this would be the best way to do it in my opinion.

 

[Zorro]

Potentially! Infanticide is most common during the calves first two weeks; and related females are less of a risk to the calf than unrelated females. At Taronga Western Plains Zoo for example, they successfully introduced Cuddles and Kendi to her half grown daughter, Kibibi (when Kendi was a few months old).

Since Werribee have two mother/daughter pods of 0.2 and 0.3 - if they sent one of these pods to Dubbo (or Adelaide ), they could repeat the same formula of isolating the mother and newborn away from the sister/grandmother for a few months until the calf was robust enough to rejoin them. The offshow holding yards arguably aren't sufficient to manage animals for an extended period of time, so this would be the best way to do it in my opinion.

I have to agree, in regards to the off show holding yards it would not be a major works just to add more or extend them

 

[Tafin]

Potentially! Infanticide is most common during the calves first two weeks; and related females are less of a risk to the calf than unrelated females. At Taronga Western Plains Zoo for example, they successfully introduced Cuddles and Kendi to her half grown daughter, Kibibi (when Kendi was a few months old).

Since Werribee have two mother/daughter pods of 0.2 and 0.3 - if they sent one of these pods to Dubbo (or Adelaide ), they could repeat the same formula of isolating the mother and newborn away from the sister/grandmother for a few months until the calf was robust enough to rejoin them. The offshow holding yards arguably aren't sufficient to manage animals for an extended period of time, so this would be the best way to do it in my opinion.

Yes, they could send Brindabella and Pansy to Adelaide Zoo as non breeding animals and bring in the bull from TWPZ to Werribee in three or four years time to breed with Pansy, Tulip and Lotus. They could live as a group of 1.3 with the extra pools used to house each new mother and calf for a few months until they are ready to rejoin the group.

TWPZ could then breed Mana with Cuddles, Kendi and Kibibi. If Monarto get hippos, they could import the offspring produced at either Werribee or TWPZ.

I wonder if other small zoos like Altina would be interesting in holding them. They hold Rhino already.

 

[Zorro]

Yes, they could send Brindabella and Pansy to Adelaide Zoo as non breeding animals and bring in the bull from TWPZ to Werribee in three or four years time to breed with Pansy, Tulip and Lotus. They could live as a group of 1.3 with the extra pools used to house each new mother and calf for a few months until they are ready to rejoin the group.

TWPZ could then breed Mana with Cuddles, Kendi and Kibibi. If Monarto get hippos, they could import the offspring produced at either Werribee or TWPZ.

I wonder if other small zoos like Altina would be interesting in holding them. They hold Rhino already.

I believe there are a few regional zoos interested in River Hippos also I believe Hippos are part of the plan at Monatro zoo, there is even a illistration of a Hippo in lake on their master plan!

 

[toothlessjaws]

Since Werribee have two mother/daughter pods of 0.2 and 0.3 - if they sent one of these pods to Dubbo (or Adelaide ), they could repeat the same formula of isolating the mother and newborn away from the sister/grandmother for a few months until the calf was robust enough to rejoin them. The offshow holding yards arguably aren't sufficient to manage animals for an extended period of time, so this would be the best way to do it in my opinion.

As I mentioned in the other thread, Werribee still has the previous hippo facilities in a non-public area. So thats five seperate spaces to accommodate animals. They currently use two of these spaces. So plenty of room for breeding there.

It's also worth noting that Primrose raised her second calf with her subadult first calf remaining with her. I'm not sure if thats the norm, but if I recall the death of previous calves at Werribee where due to Primrose and Brindabella being in the same group.

 

[Zoofan15]

It's worth noting that Primrose raised her second calf with her subadult first calf remaining in the group. In that particular instance, there appeared to be no issue. If I recall, It's Primrose and Brindabella that do not get along, with Brindabella having killed at least one of Primrose's previous calves.

Surely Primrose’s older offspring (an adult of five years) was separated for at least a couple of weeks? There’s been cases of newborn calves being killed by half grown two year old siblings. Cuddles’s three year old daughter was kept separate from her next calf for several months as a precaution.

Yes Primrose and Brindabella don’t get along. They’re half siblings; but have different dams and would regard each other as unrelated. Primrose accidentally crushed her own two week old calf to death in May 2002; and the following month, killed Kijana - Brindabella’s 15 month old calf.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

That's possible. Infanticide was the leading cause of death amongst the Common hippopotami calves at Auckland Zoo; and I see it being no different if the bull was in the same exhibit as the cow at Adelaide.

The calves at Auckland Zoo that did survive were due to the protective efforts of their mothers; and it was noted that Brutus 'knew to keep his distance', which could suggest that the calves that died were stillborn etc.; and that Susie largely succeeded in protecting the surviving ones. A 35% survival rate arguably wasn't bad considering all factors.

Yes, that would be indicative of inadequate housing and husbandry. Usually, territoriality, individual space needs and - more importantly - a space for cow and calf to bond away from the ill(er) attentions of other group or family members.

This phenomenon of infanticide is not just restricted to pachyderms, but can be mirrored upon many other animal groups where this can be partially attributed to inadequate housing conditions.

 

[Zoofan15]

Yes, that would be indicative of inadequate housing and husbandry. Usually, territoriality, individual space needs and - more importantly - a space for cow and calf to bond away from the ill(er) attentions of other group or family members.

This phenomenon of infanticide is not just restricted to pachyderms, but can be mirrored upon many other animal groups where this can be partially attributed to inadequate housing conditions.

For the first 60 years (1922-1982), the hippos at Auckland Zoo were housed in two exhibits; and with two adult bulls (which couldn’t share an exhibit), the newborn calves had to be housed with one of them. The situation was made worse when they moved to the new exhibit in 1982, which saw the whole herd integrated (one of the bulls died 1980). This meant the two mother-daughter dyads were now sharing an exhibit; as well as the bull. Following this move - only four calves survived to adulthood, three of which were born to Faith (a highly ferocious and protective mother).

 

[Zorro]

For the first 60 years (1922-1982), the hippos at Auckland Zoo were housed in two exhibits; and with two adult bulls (which couldn’t share an exhibit), the newborn calves had to be housed with one of them. The situation was made worse when they moved to the new exhibit in 1982, which saw the whole herd integrated (one of the bulls died 1980). This meant the two mother-daughter dyads were now sharing an exhibit; as well as the bull. Following this move - only four calves survived to adulthood, three of which were born to Faith (a highly ferocious and protective mother).

This is plain crazy housing two bulls together what was management thinking?, one of those bulls could of still been kept in one of the older holding pens? or perhaps even moved to another zoo or exported to Australia. I know that in the San Deigo Safari park Indian rhinos are kept with the mother in a boma for safe keeping to allow bonding and to let the calf gain size and strength for a month or two, this is likely to of been the same problem as Adelaide zoo cramp conditions and not enough options for keeping this type of animal.

 

[Zoofan15]

This is plain crazy housing two bulls together what was management thinking?, one of those bulls could of still been kept in one of the older holding pens? or perhaps even moved to another zoo or exported to Australia. I know that in the San Deigo Safari park Indian rhinos are kept with the mother in a boma for safe keeping to allow bonding and to let the calf gain size and strength for a month or two, this is likely to of been the same problem as Adelaide zoo cramp conditions and not enough options for keeping this type of animal.

Perhaps I worded my post badly. The two bulls (Scuba and Kabete) were kept seperate (one in each exhibit); but the problem that resulted was that because there was a bull occupying each exhibit, a newborn calf had to be housed with one of them. To be fair, the adolescents and adult cows were no less of a threat - even within mother daughter dyads like Bonnie and Faith.

 

[Zorro]

Perhaps I worded my post badly. The two bulls (Scuba and Kabete) were kept seperate (one in each exhibit); but the problem that resulted was that because there was a bull occupying each exhibit, a newborn calf had to be housed with one of them. To be fair, the adolescents and adult cows were no less of a threat - even within mother daughter dyads like Bonnie and Faith.

Understand but even so any massive adult bull be it Hippo, rhino or elephant should have their own area which is connected to the cows when needed

 

[Zoofan15]

Understand but even so any massive adult bull be it Hippo, rhino or elephant should have their own area which is connected to the cows when needed

Agreed. It’s worth noting that when Auckland Zoo had just a breeding pair of 1.1 (with two exhibits), the survival rate of the calves was actually pretty good. Chaka and Bella produced several surviving calves together; as did Nada with Dimazulu and Kabete.

Importing Bonnie in 1966, when they already had two adult cows - sisters Snorkle and Kiboko; and not exporting Kabete’s son, Scuba, is what made things challenging.