Common Hippopotami in Australasian Zoos – News, History and Discussion

I’m just failing to understand the relevance. A period of NZ quarrantine was just a condition of that specific IRA. It had no bearing on the processing time of the IRA.

 

It used to be quite frequent in Europe too I think, mainly due to the difficulties of moving or exchanging such large animals with other zoos.

 

Indeed, Whipsnade's hippopotamus "Henry" immediately springs to mind. In addition to more than a dozen calves born at Whipsnade to "Henry" (1950 - 1993) and "Belinda" (1950 -1995), "Henry" also fathered several calves with his own daughter "Wendy".

I'm sure that checking the hippo studbook would reveal more father x daughter pairings.

 

Happy has died at Taronga Western Plains Zoo:

Farewell Happy Hippo

Happy was born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo 24/12/1985. There is now only one male Common hippopotamus remaining in the region:

The team at Taronga Western Plains Zoo is saddened by the loss of one of its iconic residents, Happy the Hippo.

Happy recently passed away despite intensive veterinary intervention following keeper observations that he was unwell. A post-mortem revealed Happy passed away as a result of a bleed of an internal tumour on the lungs.

Happy was the first Hippo to be born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo back in 1985 and resided here in Dubbo for the duration of his life, siring four calves.

“Happy captured attention and inspired awe in hundreds and thousands of guests over his 33 years at the Zoo,” said Hippo Keeper, Carolene Magner.

Happy, with his companion Nile, was regularly part of the daily keeper talk at the Zoo, where keepers help to educate guests about Hippopotamus, their territorial nature in the wild and the unique attributes that make them so exceptional.

Happy was always keen to come up on to the beach and enjoy his midday meal, followed by a hose down from his keepers. This was part of the keeper talk that left guests in amazement of the relationship between him and his keepers, not to mention the size of his mouth and tusks!

“Happy was an animal that to work with required patience, time, trust building and consistency, but as a result he would allow keepers to teach him to open his mouth on cue and chose to participate in dental health care to file his tusks.”

“The keepers who worked closely alongside Happy are grateful and privileged to have been involved with him during his life at Taronga Western Plains Zoo,” said Carolene.

Happy was a big character at the Zoo and will be sadly missed by staff, volunteers and the many guests who have seen him over the years.

 

Are any of the hippos in Australia related to Faith and Fudge from Auckland Zoo?

Do Dubbo Zoo plan to keep breeding hippos as they have bred the most hippos in recent years and now have one of the only males?

 

The last two surviving hippo calves born in the region were sisters Kibibi (2014) and Kendi (2017) at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. In my opinion they should breed their parents (Mana and Cuddles) once more and then loan Mana to Werribee Open Range Zoo to breed with their three younger females - born 2003, 2008 and 2013.

Faith’s son, Fonzee (1987), was the sire of Cuddles (2002) so Faith has three living direct descendants; as well as many other indirect relatives from her Taronga born mother - Bonnie.

 

Collected semen for AI on passing per chance?

 

Deem that a real good plan!

Animal management listening in I hope!!!!!

 

That’s an excellent idea, I hope they were able to do so.

It really was foolish not to retain the young bull from Cairns Wildlife Safari when they had the chance. He could have been the breeding bull at Werribee as he was even more distantly related to their females than Mana is.

 

A male Common Hippopotamus calf was born on April 15 at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo to parents, Mana and Cuddles.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=807309863094239

 

It shows how far some are planning ahead or not!

 

A male! That is very good news. Let's hope he isn't sat on.

 

I guess the big question regarding these Hippos is how long before importation of Hippos is allowed?

 

I bet they are looking in but not listening!

 

Some sad news from this morning.

54 year old Brutus has been euthanised at the Adelaide Zoo. It leaves Adelaide without Common Hippo’s, and only two males in the region, both at Taronga Western Plains; Mana and his unamed son.

Security Check

Apparently, the post states that Brutus is survived by his granddaughter, Brindabella (at WORZ), so Brindabella’s mother must have been one of Brutus and Susie’s daughters. @Zoofan15

 

It's incredible how life and death overlap sometimes. In just one week the birth of a male hippo was announced, potentially securing the species for a few more years, and then Australia's oldest hippo was recently put to sleep.

It's been a big week for hippos!

 

I was thinking that too!

 

A sad loss, but what an incredible age!

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.

 

They did very well with them lets hope they continue with them at Monarto zoo in the future!