Gdańsk Zoo has found a new resident. This is Malela, 8 years old, a female hippopotamus. She becomes a partner of an older man who has been living in Oliva for 12 years. Together they will help to expand their endangered species.
A female hippo came to Gdansk. It is a smaller cousin of the Nile hippopotamus. In nature, it is found in the rain forests and swamps of West Africa. Unfortunately, this species is in danger of extinction. There are only about 2,000 individuals left, and due to habitat loss, the population is constantly decreasing.
– Breeding of this species in zoos is extremely important for its preservation and survival – says Emilia Salac, director of the Gdańsk Zoo.
Malela will soon become a partner of an older male SapoZOO Gdansk
Malela, as this is the name of the new resident of the zoo, is a young girl of 8 years old, weighing a little more than 200 kg. According to the species coordinator's decision, she is the future partner of Sapo, a man who has been living in Oliva since 2012. It has come a long way since it came from the Loro Park in Tenerife to the Park in Gdansk.
Malela's transfer was very difficult. The first leg of the journey was by plane, and then the woman was placed in a heated transport bus. He was awaited in Gdańsk by the staff of the four-legged section.
Gdansk hippos are conquering the world
– The history of Gdańsk hippos begins in the 1980s, and the animals born in Gdańsk can be seen, among other things, in Opole, Denmark, as well as in France – emphasizes Salac.
The first pair of hippos that lived in Gdansk were Drops and Niunia. They had many children and one of their daughters is Tosia. A few years ago, Tosia returned to Gdańsk to form a couple with Sapo. 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 valuable male genes.
Now the animals get to know each other through the wall. Their connection will be possible only during heat. Pygmy hippos, unlike Nile hippos, are solitary and only come together to breed.
Source of main photo: ZOO Gdansk
