September 7 was a great day for Soundarya, the 16-year-old hippopotamus that muddies the waters in Arignar Anna Zoological Park, in Vandalur. She bore a healthy hippo baby on that day, and in effect, the number of hippos in the zoo has gone up to six.
Normally, a hippopotamus will not deliver if the atmosphere and environment is not conducive. Zoo officials had provided a separate enclosure for the pregnant hippo, where visitors were not allowed, to ensure a smooth delivery.
The 16-year-old male hippo, Vamboori, which came through an animal exchange programme from Basel zoo in Switzerland, is the father of the calf, which is the fourth hippo to be delivered in captivity at the Vandalur zoo, authorities said. The calf weighed 30 kg at birth, and before releasing it into the exhibit area, authorities cleaned the hippo enclosure. Further, the zoo veterinarian conducted an inspection to ensure hygienic conditions inside the enclosure, officials said.
The nine-year-old Pragathi, also born in captivity at the zoo, had earlier delivered a male hippo on October 20, last year.
