NYC zoo question

NYC zoo question
16-06-2012

Has any of 4 NYC zoos ever had Pygmy Hippos or River Hippos? Is there any plans on getting either species in the future? Im kinda shocked that the bronx doesnt have pygmy hippos in its jungleworld. thks

16-06-2012

Well JungleWorld is an Asian themed rainforest complex.

16-06-2012

Jungleworld is an Asian rain forest exhibit so it would make no sense to have pygmy hippos there.

I did a quick google search of "Central Park Zoo" and "hippo" and this historic postcard of a hippo at the Central Park Zoo popped out: Rose the Hippopotamus, Central Park Zoo, New York City. Postcard sent by Theodor W. Adorno to his parents, then in Cuba.

16-06-2012

With funding problems and most of WCS's zoo money focused on the NY Aquarium's new shark exhibit now, it's not likely hippos will be popping up soon.

16-06-2012

the Bronx Zoo, not surprisingly, has had both species in the course of its history. It was the first zoo to successfully display pigmy hippos (which came via Hagenbeck in Germany), and at that time they had a common hippo as well: BRONX ZOO WELCOMES PIGMY HIPPOS TO-DAY - Park Attendants Enthusiastic Over the Acquisition of Two Rare Animals. CAUGHT AFTER GREAT RISK Hagenbeck Hunter Penetrated Haunts of Liberian Cannibals to Get Them -- First Specimens to be Shown Alive. - View

In 1949 Peter the Great (the common hippo mentioned in the previous article) was the oldest recorded hippo at 46 years of age: The Miami News - Google News Archive Search

16-06-2012

A little extra information about Bronx Zoo’s early hippos:-

Bronx Zoo’s long-lived hippopotamus “Peter the Great” was born in Central Park Menagerie in 1903, then transferred to Bronx Zoo in 1906 where he died in 1953.

Bronx obtained three pygmy hippos from Hagenbeck in 1913, two males and a female.

One of Bronx Zoo’s original male pygmy hippos was acquired by London Zoo in 1925; between 1931 and 1937 this animal was transferred annually between London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo, spending each summer at Whipsnade returning to London every autumn. He died in 1938.

The other two pygmy hippos lived at Bronx Zoo for many years; the female died in 1950, the male in 1952. Five calves were born to this pair in the Bronx, three of which were successfully reared

16-06-2012

I always think of the Bronx Zoo as America's version of London Zoo. A very long history in which they've kept almost everything possible (being slightly hyperbolic of course).

17-06-2012

And in both cases, those days are behind them