The Gdańsk zoo has a new resident. It is 8-year-old Malela, a female pygmy hippopotamus. She will become a partner for an older male who has been living in Oliwa for 12 years. Together they will help extend their species, which is at risk of extinction.
A female pygmy hippopotamus arrived in Gdańsk. It is a smaller cousin of the Nile hippopotamus. In nature, it occurs in the rainforests and swamps of West Africa. Unfortunately, this species is in danger of extinction. There are only about 2,000 individuals left and due to the loss of habitat, its population is constantly decreasing.
– Conservation breeding of this species in zoos is extremely important for its protection and survival – says Emilia Salach, director of the Gdańsk Zoo.
Malela will soon become the partner of the older male, SapoZOO Gdańsk
Malela, as this is the name of the zoo's new resident, is a young female, 8 years old and weighs just over 200 kg. According to the decision of the species coordinator, she will be the future partner for Sapo, a male who has been living in Oliwa since 2012. It has come a long way, because it came to the Gdańsk garden from Loro Park in Tenerife.
Transporting Malela was quite a challenge. The first stage of the journey was by air, and then the female was placed in a heated transport bus. Employees of the ungulates section were waiting for her in Gdańsk.
Gdańsk hippos are conquering the world
– The history of Gdańsk hippos dates back to the 1980s, and animals born in Gdańsk can be seen, among others, in Opole, Denmarkand also France – emphasizes Salach.
The first pair of hippos to live in Gdańsk was Drops and Niunia. They had children several times, and one of their daughters is Tosia. A few years ago, Tosia returned to Gdańsk to create a couple with Sapo. The hippos had a daughter who went to Denmark. According to the coordinator's decision, we have now been allocated a second female to increase the chances of passing on the valuable genes of the male.
Currently, the animals get to know each other through the fence. Their joining will only be possible during heat. Pygmy hippos, unlike Nile hippos, are solitary and only come together for breeding.
Main photo source: ZOO Gdańsk