AUCKLAND'S "BABY HIPPO."

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 251, 20 October 1923, Page 7

AUCKLAND'S "BABY HIPPO."

A YOUNG LADY OF SOME 'WEIGHT. HER SISTER QUEENS IT AT SYDNEY. The Auckland Zoo is soon to have a "baby" hippopotamus added to its rapidly increasing attractions, for on | Thursday night the Parks Committee reported that one had been bought in Melbourne at £400 for early delivery. As a "baby," however, it is exceedingly well grown and weighty for its inches, being almost as big now as its mother, whose home is the Melbourne Zoo. Consequently something pretty substantial in the nature of a nursery will be necessary, as a playful young hippo, might quite by accident break something, or fall through a wall of any but the mo3t solid proportions if she leant against it to scratch herself. To prepare suitable accommodation for this young lady, for it is understood the "baby" is of the gentler sex, the Council decided to enlarge the creek from the Western Springs, . surround it with a stone and iron fence, and put up suitable shelter i for the animal, at an estimated cost of £850. It seems that our new exhibit is somei thing of a favourite at the Melbourne : Zoo, and is known to the officials and the public as the "Baby Hippo," not yet having been given any other name. She had an elder sister, or rather, still has. but the family is a wandering one, unci the sister -went to the Sydney Zoo, the authorities of which paid the sura of £500 for the privilege of entertaining her. So it :nay be taken that Auckland has secured a "snip" isi getting the "baby" for £400. Hippopotami thrive well in captivity, and though their upkeep is costly—their favourite diet being fresh hay—they arc always such an attraction to visitors that it pays to acquire them. When our "Baby Hippo" arrive? she is bound to be one of the star attractions at the Zno. and will probahly share honours with Jamuna in IfcyulM «6 testa.