North American Pygmy Hippo Population

Nile Hippo Expert said:
I wonder why they moved Betty at 46. That would make her the oldest of her species in North America, and maybe the world.
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If I had to guess, for space. When I visited 09/23/2022, both Scooby and Chomel were in the Pygmy Hippo exhibit together. The Pygmy Hippo overflow exhibit has been an island exhibit with primates, but that exhibit has been needed for Tapir overflow exhibit space as well. I also would not be surprised if Omaha had a breeding recommendation for Scooby and Chomel.
 
Toronto Zoo's 0.1 Penelope (1.0 Harvey x 0.1 Kindia) will be moving to the Houston Zoo this fall with plans to mate with their male Silas.

We are hopeful up north that this means we may get a new baby this coming summer.
 
csartie said:
Houston just announced that Silas has passed away "after his heart gave out following a short illness" :(

Remembering Pygmy Hippo Silas, The Houston Zoo
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Tragic news, like @leo811 said, he was only four. :( He was born at Henry Doorly in 2018, and arrived to Houston in late 2020. So tragically, he hadn't even been at the zoo for two years.

May he rest in peace.

Hopefully Houston will acquire another pygmy hippo to replace him soon. A breeding pair would be good down the line.
 
Penelope's move being cancelled due to Silas's death does raise questions about the death. Toronto was on the verge of transferring her. The last guaranteed day to to see her was at the start of the month. They had to be super close. And its not like she cannot breed with literally any male in the US so you would think getting her down there would be more important than knowing who she will breed with. Houston wanted a breeding pair and without Silas its not like they were suddenly short on space. Makes one wonder if Silas died of something that might be passed to Penelope if she had to be held in the same space too soon. Really is a shame because not only will it prevent Toronto from breeding but it also means they are right back at the start and will have to do all the paperwork, health checks, and transport arrangements again. She's going nowhere at this point until spring at the earliest.
 
EsserWarrior said:
It appears that Betty (1976) from Omaha has been transferred there. People kept mentioning Betty, but the other was not named.
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According to an email from the Omaha Zoo Foundation, the zoo confirms that they have 1.1 Pygmy Hippos at the zoo, and they listed names:

"Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is home to two pygmy hippos, Chomel and Scooby."
 
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