A tragic incident has been reported from Karnataka’s Shivamogga district, where a 27-year-old veterinarian died after being attacked by a pregnant hippopotamus during a late-night health check at the Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari Zoo. The doctor was conducting a routine thermal scan inside the enclosure when the animal suddenly turned aggressive.


Karnataka: Vet Killed by Pregnant Hippo in South India 

The extraordinary teeth-cleaning session of a hippopotamus has gone viral and left the netizens amused.&nbsp;

The video was shared on X by the popular page Nature is Amazing, and it soon went viral as it amassed nearly five lakh views.&nbsp;

In the video, the giant hippo is seen obediently keeping his enormous mouth wide open as the caretaker cleans the teeth.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-viral-baby-pygmy-hippo-who-has-inspired-make-up-looks-merchandise-and-more-758656">Viral baby pygmy hippo who has inspired make-up looks, merchandise and more</a>

The teeth are seen getting cleaned meticulously with a sponge-like brush and water pipe. The animal appears surprisingly calm and well-trained for the session.&nbsp;

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Hippos getting their teeth cleaned <a href="https://t.co/dY5mrY669P">pic.twitter.com/dY5mrY669P</a>
— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) <a href="https://twitter.com/AMAZlNGNATURE/status/1838325125730415006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
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According to Britannica, a hippo can grow around 40 teeth and the incisor and canine teeth of this animal are extremely large. “Hippos getting their teeth cleaned,” read the caption.

<h2>Here's how netizens reacted to the viral video&nbsp;</h2>

Reacting to the video, one user said, “I never knew hippos needed dental care! This is both fascinating and adorable.”&nbsp;

“Seeing a hippo so relaxed while getting its teeth brushed is a sight I didn’t know I needed today!,” another user commented.

“This is just too cute! Who would have thought hippos could be so gentle?,” commented a third user.

“Nature never ceases to amaze me,” wrote a viewer.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Moo Deng: Two-month-old pint-sized Hippo goes viral for cuteness

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/moo-deng-two-month-old-pint-sized-hippo-goes-viral-for-cuteness-759252/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"I bet this hippo has the best teeth in the animal kingdom!," said another user.

“The most dangerous animal can be so darn adorable,” stated a comment, while another read, "Wow. Look at that patience level."

Another wrote, “Wow, those are damn big teeth! Surprised they don’t have more of them!”

“The one in back, waiting his turn. They seem to enjoy it,” commented a user on X.

“This one looks friendly, just remember, in the wild, hippos are extremely territorial and will flip boats and kill people,” wrote a user.

(With inputs from agencies)

The extraordinary teeth-cleaning session of a hippopotamus has gone viral and left the netizens amused. The video was shared on X by the popular page Nature is Amazing, and it soon went viral as it amassed nearly five lakh views.

The extraordinary teeth-cleaning session of a hippopotamus has gone viral and left the netizens amused. The video was shared on X by the popular page Nature is Amazing, and it soon went viral as it amassed nearly five lakh views. In the video, the giant hippo is seen obediently keeping his enormous mouth wide open as the caretaker cleans the teeth. Also Read: Viral baby pygmy hippo who has inspired make-up looks, merchandise and more The teeth are seen getting cleaned meticulously with a sponge-like brush and water pipe. The animal appears surprisingly calm and well-trained for the session. Hippos getting their teeth cleaned pic.twitter.com/dY5mrY669P — Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) September 23, 2024 × According to Britannica, a hippo can grow around 40 teeth and the incisor and canine teeth of this animal are extremely large. “Hippos getting their teeth cleaned,” read the caption. Here's how netizens reacted to the viral video Reacting to the video, one user said, “I never knew hippos needed dental care! This is both fascinating and adorable.” “Seeing a hippo so relaxed while getting its teeth brushed is a sight I didn’t know I needed today!,” another user commented. “This is just too cute! Who would have thought hippos could be so gentle?,” commented a third user. “Nature never ceases to amaze me,” wrote a viewer. Watch: Moo Deng: Two-month-old pint-sized Hippo goes viral for cuteness "I bet this hippo has the best teeth in the animal kingdom!," said another user. “The most dangerous animal can be so darn adorable,” stated a comment, while another read, "Wow. Look at that patience level." Another wrote, “Wow, those are damn big teeth! Surprised they don’t have more of them!” “The one in back, waiting his turn. They seem to enjoy it,” commented a user on X. “This one looks friendly, just remember, in the wild, hippos are extremely territorial and will flip boats and kill people,” wrote a user. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Giant hippo’s teeth cleaning session goes viral, netizens call it ‘adorable’

The hippopotamus, commonly referred to as hippo, is a large semiaquatic mammal. They are further qualified as the common hippopotamus, Nile hippopotamus or river hippopotamus.&nbsp;

Hippopotamuses can often weigh more than 2,000 kilograms, and flying should never be an option for them as they are mostly seen gliding through the water or having fun on a bank.&nbsp;

But the latest study suggests that the common hippopotamus spends around 15 per cent of the time 'suspended' in the air when running despite their size.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/discovery-of-40000-year-old-river-system-in-antarctica-is-a-warning-sign-for-humans-737430">Discovery of 40,000-year-old river system in Antarctica is a warning sign for humans</a>&nbsp;

Hippos may appear big and bloated, but they can take up to 30 km/h (19 mph) on land. Experts previously have said that an average male human being can run 5.9 mph, while a woman can do a 5.0 mph run.&nbsp;

The latest study found that their feet leave the ground for up to 0.3 seconds at a time when they are running fast.&nbsp;

The researchers from the Royal Veterinary College in England came up with the findings while studying the footfall patterns and stride parameters of hippos.&nbsp;

The researchers revealed that the findings offer new information on the hippo movement, which could be useful for understanding the evolution, body size, habitat usage and ecology of hippos.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/turns-out-ancient-egyptian-writers-also-suffered-from-consequences-of-hunching-over-your-devices-737355">Ancient Egyptian writers also hunched over devices and suffered the consequences</a>&nbsp;

As quoted by UK-based media reports, John Hutchinson, a professor of evolutionary biomechanics who led the research, said, "I've struggled to get any work done on hippos before because they're so hard to access. They're incredibly dangerous, they tend to be most active at night, and they spend a lot of their time in the water."&nbsp;

Hutchinson sent a student to Flamingo Land resort in North Yorkshire, where resident hippos have huge areas to run after he didn't find any satisfying answer in the scientific literature.&nbsp;

The student, identified as Emily Pringle in reports, videoed the animals as they moved between their stable and watering hole. &nbsp;

The researchers were trying to find whether hippos had ever been able to lift all four feet off the ground simultaneously. They also referred to some additional footage from YouTube and examined the videos frame by frame.&nbsp;

In conclusion, published in a PeerJ, the researchers said that in contrast to other large animals, hippos usually maintain a trotting gait regardless of their pace, but they are also capable of taking off quickly.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The hippopotamus, commonly referred to as hippo, is a large semiaquatic mammal. They are further qualified as the common hippopotamus, Nile hippopotamus or river hippopotamus.

The hippopotamus, commonly referred to as hippo, is a large semiaquatic mammal. They are further qualified as the common hippopotamus, Nile hippopotamus or river hippopotamus. Hippopotamuses can often weigh more than 2,000 kilograms, and flying should never be an option for them as they are mostly seen gliding through the water or having fun on a bank. But the latest study suggests that the common hippopotamus spends around 15 per cent of the time 'suspended' in the air when running despite their size. Also read: Discovery of 40,000-year-old river system in Antarctica is a warning sign for humans Hippos may appear big and bloated, but they can take up to 30 km/h (19 mph) on land. Experts previously have said that an average male human being can run 5.9 mph, while a woman can do a 5.0 mph run. The latest study found that their feet leave the ground for up to 0.3 seconds at a time when they are running fast. The researchers from the Royal Veterinary College in England came up with the findings while studying the footfall patterns and stride parameters of hippos. The researchers revealed that the findings offer new information on the hippo movement, which could be useful for understanding the evolution, body size, habitat usage and ecology of hippos. Also read: Ancient Egyptian writers also hunched over devices and suffered the consequences As quoted by UK-based media reports, John Hutchinson, a professor of evolutionary biomechanics who led the research, said, "I've struggled to get any work done on hippos before because they're so hard to access. They're incredibly dangerous, they tend to be most active at night, and they spend a lot of their time in the water." Hutchinson sent a student to Flamingo Land resort in North Yorkshire, where resident hippos have huge areas to run after he didn't find any satisfying answer in the scientific literature. The student, identified as Emily Pringle in reports, videoed the animals as they moved between their stable and watering hole. The researchers were trying to find whether hippos had ever been able to lift all four feet off the ground simultaneously. They also referred to some additional footage from YouTube and examined the videos frame by frame. In conclusion, published in a PeerJ, the researchers said that in contrast to other large animals, hippos usually maintain a trotting gait regardless of their pace, but they are also capable of taking off quickly. (With inputs from agencies)

Hippos can 'fly' as per a study. Yes, you read it right!

At least 70 hippopotamuses which were illegally imported by Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar from Africa in the 1980s and currently living near his former ranch are being considered to be sent to India and Mexico as local authorities plan to control their population.

According to reports, the local authorities have been struggling to ensure the maintenance of these hippos, who are also said to be threatening the local ecosystem.

It is said that since they do not have a natural predator in Colombia, their faeces are changing the composition of nearby rivers, affecting manatees, capybaras and other animals.

They are currently living in the Hacienda Napoles ranch, located 200 km from Bogota along the Magdalena River. Authorities estimate that there are about 130 hippos in the area in Antioquia province and their population could reach 400 in eight years, reports AP news agency.

Last year, Colombia’s government declared them a toxic invasive species.

The Colombian environment authorise have, over the years, devised a plan with counterparts in India and Mexico to rehome a group of these hippos, said Lina Marcela de los Ríos Morales, director of animal protection and welfare at Antioquia’s environment ministry.

Indian and Mexican officials are yet to respond to this matter.

Of the 70 hippos, 60 are being proposed to send to the Greens Zoological Rescue &amp; Rehabilitation Kingdom in Gujarat, India. De los Ríos Morales said India would bear the cost of the containers and airlift.

<h2>Lockheed Martin's production hits record high</h2>

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While another 10 hippos would go to zoos and sanctuaries in Mexico such as the Ostok, located in Sinaloa.

The plan is to send the hippos living in the rivers surrounding the Hacienda Napoles ranch, and not the ones inside the ranch. Officials said that the ones living inside the branch are in a controlled environment and don’t threaten the local ecosystem.

Apart from that, Ecuador, the Philippines and Botswana have also expressed their willingness to receive the relocated Colombian hippos, the Antioquia Governor’s Office said in a statement.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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At least 70 hippopotamuses which were illegally imported by Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar from Africa in the 1980s and currently living near his former ranch are being considered to be sent to India and Mexico as local authorities plan to control their population.

At least 70 hippopotamuses which were illegally imported by Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar from Africa in the 1980s and currently living near his former ranch are being considered to be sent to India and Mexico as local authorities plan to control their population. According to reports, the local authorities have been struggling to ensure the maintenance of these hippos, who are also said to be threatening the local ecosystem. It is said that since they do not have a natural predator in Colombia, their faeces are changing the composition of nearby rivers, affecting manatees, capybaras and other animals. They are currently living in the Hacienda Napoles ranch, located 200 km from Bogota along the Magdalena River. Authorities estimate that there are about 130 hippos in the area in Antioquia province and their population could reach 400 in eight years, reports AP news agency. Last year, Colombia’s government declared them a toxic invasive species. The Colombian environment authorise have, over the years, devised a plan with counterparts in India and Mexico to rehome a group of these hippos, said Lina Marcela de los Ríos Morales, director of animal protection and welfare at Antioquia’s environment ministry. Indian and Mexican officials are yet to respond to this matter. Of the 70 hippos, 60 are being proposed to send to the Greens Zoological Rescue & Rehabilitation Kingdom in Gujarat, India. De los Ríos Morales said India would bear the cost of the containers and airlift. Lockheed Martin's production hits record high While another 10 hippos would go to zoos and sanctuaries in Mexico such as the Ostok, located in Sinaloa. The plan is to send the hippos living in the rivers surrounding the Hacienda Napoles ranch, and not the ones inside the ranch. Officials said that the ones living inside the branch are in a controlled environment and don’t threaten the local ecosystem. Apart from that, Ecuador, the Philippines and Botswana have also expressed their willingness to receive the relocated Colombian hippos, the Antioquia Governor’s Office said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Colombia mulling to send Pablo Escobar’s hippos to India, Mexico

The European Union was accused by 10&nbsp;African countries of negatively impacting the survival of hippopotamus due to their stand on the proposed commercial trade ban. According to the documents submitted by the countries - Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Gabon, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo, the population of hippos has dropped drastically in the last decade.&nbsp;

According to The Guardian, the hippo population in Algeria, Egypt, Eritrea, Liberia, and Mauritania has been wiped out due to constant illegal hunting for ivory which is extremely valuable on the global market&nbsp;and as a result, the demand for a blanket ban has dominated headlines for quite some time. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oil-trade-economy-ukraine-war-on-agenda-as-indias-jaishankar-meets-russian-counterpart-in-moscow-532211" hreflang="en">Oil, trade, war on agenda as India's Jaishankar meets Russian counterpart</a>

However, the EU is expected to oppose a complete ban on hippo products at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora&nbsp;(Cites) conference&nbsp;in Panama.&nbsp;

“By openly opposing our proposal, the EU is jeopardising the chances of the west and central Africa region, which are range states of more than half of the hippo populations, to adequately ensure the survival of the species. Hippos have been silently dying for 30 years. We must act quickly before they become extinct,” a letter from the African countries to the EU high command read.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-india-becomes-top-importer-of-russian-oil-us-says-not-planning-sanctions-532144">No sanctions on countries like India for importing Russian oil, says US</a>

The global population has also taken a hit recently with a drop of around 30-50 per cent in the last decade and it can mainly be attributed to the meat and ivory trade. The issue was also recognised by International Union for the Conservation of Nature as they were classified as “vulnerable&nbsp;to extinction".&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The European Union was accused by 10 African countries of negatively impacting the survival of hippopotamus due to their stand on the proposed commercial trade ban.

The European Union was accused by 10 African countries of negatively impacting the survival of hippopotamus due to their stand on the proposed commercial trade ban. According to the documents submitted by the countries - Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Gabon, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo, the population of hippos has dropped drastically in the last decade. According to The Guardian, the hippo population in Algeria, Egypt, Eritrea, Liberia, and Mauritania has been wiped out due to constant illegal hunting for ivory which is extremely valuable on the global market and as a result, the demand for a blanket ban has dominated headlines for quite some time. Also read | Oil, trade, war on agenda as India's Jaishankar meets Russian counterpart However, the EU is expected to oppose a complete ban on hippo products at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) conference in Panama. “By openly opposing our proposal, the EU is jeopardising the chances of the west and central Africa region, which are range states of more than half of the hippo populations, to adequately ensure the survival of the species. Hippos have been silently dying for 30 years. We must act quickly before they become extinct,” a letter from the African countries to the EU high command read. Also read | No sanctions on countries like India for importing Russian oil, says US The global population has also taken a hit recently with a drop of around 30-50 per cent in the last decade and it can mainly be attributed to the meat and ivory trade. The issue was also recognised by International Union for the Conservation of Nature as they were classified as “vulnerable to extinction".

Ten African countries accuse European Union of endangering global hippo population

Hippos could be added to the list of the world's most endangered animals. 10 countries have proposed that the mammal should be given protection. Palki Sharma tells you - how hippos could be staring at recession.

Gravitas: Will the hippo go extinct?

Antwerp Zoo in Belgium on Friday announced that two hippopotamuses have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus. While the deadly virus was earlier seen as a major threat to humans, it is now affecting wildlife as well.&nbsp;

The zoo has been shut until further notice.&nbsp;

Antwerp Zoo vet Francis Vercammen while speaking to the Associated Press said, "To my knowledge, it’s the first recorded contamination among this species. Throughout the world this virus has mostly been seen in great apes and felines."

The deadly virus has infected a 14-year-old hippo&nbsp;Imani and a 41-year-old hippo&nbsp;Hermien. Both of them have not shown any major symptoms except for a runny nose. As per AP, the zoo employees who worked with the hippos have tested negative for the virus.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/in-a-first-three-white-tailed-deer-test-positive-for-covid-in-canada-433696">Also read |&nbsp;In a first, three white-tailed deer test positive for Covid in Canada</a>

They have been strictly asked to wear a mask, and disinfect their shoes before handling the infected animals. This comes a day after Canada has detected coronavirus cases in three white-tailed deer. According to the National Centre for

Foreign Animal Disease, the samples were collected early in November in the Estrie region of Quebec. The samples were collected through a "big-game" registration station.&nbsp;

"COVID-19 remains largely a disease of human concern and typically spreads from human to human. Adhering to public health advice and getting fully vaccinated are key ways to protect against COVID-19," read the statement.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, earlier in November, cases of Alpha variant of Covid virus were detected in pets when two cats and dogs tested positive in a PCR test.&nbsp;

In addition to these animals, two other cats and a dog displayed antibodies 2-6 weeks after developing signs of cardiac disease.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Antwerp Zoo in Belgium on Friday announced that two hippopotamuses have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus. While the deadly virus was earlier seen as a major threat to humans, it is now affecting wildlife as well.

Antwerp Zoo in Belgium on Friday announced that two hippopotamuses have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus. While the deadly virus was earlier seen as a major threat to humans, it is now affecting wildlife as well. The zoo has been shut until further notice. Antwerp Zoo vet Francis Vercammen while speaking to the Associated Press said, "To my knowledge, it’s the first recorded contamination among this species. Throughout the world this virus has mostly been seen in great apes and felines." The deadly virus has infected a 14-year-old hippo Imani and a 41-year-old hippo Hermien. Both of them have not shown any major symptoms except for a runny nose. As per AP, the zoo employees who worked with the hippos have tested negative for the virus. Also read | In a first, three white-tailed deer test positive for Covid in Canada They have been strictly asked to wear a mask, and disinfect their shoes before handling the infected animals. This comes a day after Canada has detected coronavirus cases in three white-tailed deer. According to the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, the samples were collected early in November in the Estrie region of Quebec. The samples were collected through a "big-game" registration station. "COVID-19 remains largely a disease of human concern and typically spreads from human to human. Adhering to public health advice and getting fully vaccinated are key ways to protect against COVID-19," read the statement. Meanwhile, earlier in November, cases of Alpha variant of Covid virus were detected in pets when two cats and dogs tested positive in a PCR test. In addition to these animals, two other cats and a dog displayed antibodies 2-6 weeks after developing signs of cardiac disease. (With inputs from agencies)

After deers in Canada, 2 hippopotamuses in Belgium zoo test positive for Covid

Thailand celebrated the 55th birthday of its oldest hippopotamus - Mae Mali&nbsp;with fervour on September 8.

Mae Mali means “Mother Jasmine” in Thai, and was moved to a compound at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in eastern Thailand in 2018, two years ago from a Bangkok zoo.

<h6><img alt="Thailand's oldest hippopotamus &quot;Mae Mali&quot; is seen during her 55th birthday at Khao Kheow zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand September 8, 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="87857a48-044c-44ee-a33e-631061b739a5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_130.jpg" />Thailand's oldest hippopotamus "Mae Mali" is seen during her 55th&nbsp;birthday&nbsp;at Khao Kheow zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand September 8, 2020 | Reuters</h6>

The hippo has outlived the typical hippo’s life expectancy, which is at 40-50 years on an average.&nbsp;

Mali’s birthday was celebrated with an assortment of fruits and vegetables arranged in the shape of a cake. Spectators including children sang songs around the hippo.

<h6><img alt="Thailand's oldest hippopotamus &quot;Mae Mali&quot; eats fruit during her 55th birthday party at Khao Kheow zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand September 8, 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5a43eb6d-9352-43d6-a59c-820d5f5b9837" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_150.jpg" />Thailand's oldest hippopotamus "Mae Mali" eats fruit during her 55th&nbsp;birthday&nbsp;party at Khao Kheow zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand September 8, 2020 | Reuters</h6>

"Mae Mali is now a grandma. We have been taking great care of her regarding her health, food, and environment," zoo director Attaporn Srihayrun told Reuters.

Mali has given birth to calves, and her descendants now amount to 21 hippos that are now scattered across zoos in the Southeast Asian country.

<h6><img alt="Thailand's oldest hippopotamus &quot;Mae Mali&quot; is seen during her 55th birthday at Khao Kheow zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand September 8, 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cbc2f7e4-6b16-41f5-b777-1a3d7d4deb40" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_104.jpg" />Thailand's oldest hippopotamus "Mae Mali" is seen during her 55th&nbsp;birthday&nbsp;at Khao Kheow zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand September 8, 2020 | Reuters</h6>

 
"Mae Mali cannot reproduce anymore because she's quite elderly. But we will still take great care of her so that she can become one of the longest living hippopotamus in the world," Attaporn said.

Hippopotamuses live in rivers and lakes in the sub-Saharan African area. Due to habitat loss, they’re now considered vulnerable.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, there are around 115,000 to 130,000 hippopotamuses left in the wild.

Thailand celebrated the 55th birthday of its oldest hippopotamus - Mae Mali with fervour on September 8. Mae Mali means “Mother Jasmine” in Thai, and was moved to a compound at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in eastern Thailand in 2018, two years ago from a Bangkok zoo.

Thailand celebrated the 55th birthday of its oldest hippopotamus - Mae Mali with fervour on September 8. Mae Mali means “Mother Jasmine” in Thai, and was moved to a compound at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in eastern Thailand in 2018, two years ago from a Bangkok zoo. Thailand's oldest hippopotamus "Mae Mali" is seen during her 55th birthday at Khao Kheow zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand September 8, 2020 | Reuters The hippo has outlived the typical hippo’s life expectancy, which is at 40-50 years on an average. Mali’s birthday was celebrated with an assortment of fruits and vegetables arranged in the shape of a cake. Spectators including children sang songs around the hippo. Thailand's oldest hippopotamus "Mae Mali" eats fruit during her 55th birthday party at Khao Kheow zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand September 8, 2020 | Reuters "Mae Mali is now a grandma. We have been taking great care of her regarding her health, food, and environment," zoo director Attaporn Srihayrun told Reuters. Mali has given birth to calves, and her descendants now amount to 21 hippos that are now scattered across zoos in the Southeast Asian country. Thailand's oldest hippopotamus "Mae Mali" is seen during her 55th birthday at Khao Kheow zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand September 8, 2020 | Reuters "Mae Mali cannot reproduce anymore because she's quite elderly. But we will still take great care of her so that she can become one of the longest living hippopotamus in the world," Attaporn said. Hippopotamuses live in rivers and lakes in the sub-Saharan African area. Due to habitat loss, they’re now considered vulnerable. According to the World Wildlife Fund, there are around 115,000 to 130,000 hippopotamuses left in the wild.

In pics: Thailand celebrates 55th birthday of Mae Mali, its oldest hippopotamus

More than 20 years after Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar died in a gunfight with police, a strange legacy survives him: his pet hippos. 
 
Look out of the window in the dead of night in the village of Doradal and you may see one plodding down the street. 
 
Police killed or locked up Escobar&#39;s drug gang, but not the hippos in his private zoo. 
 
Left to themselves on his Napoles Estate, they bred to become what&#39;s said to be the biggest wild hippo herd outside Africa, a local curiosity and a hazard. 
 
&quot;I was going to football training this morning about 6:30 and there was one in the meadow, opposite the school,&quot; says Lina Maria Alvarez, 12. 
 
Just outside the village, Diego Alejandro Rojas, 19, shines a flashlight on a black mass grazing among the tall grass. Its eyes catch the light and shine like glowworms. 
 
&quot;They come from the Napoles Estate along the canal after nightfall,&quot; Rojas says. 
 
&quot;They are like the village pets. I&#39;m more afraid of the snakes than the hippos.&quot; 
 
Hippo paradise 
 
David Echeverri Lopez, a biologist from the regional environmental corporation Cornare, says it is the biggest herd of wild hippopotamuses outside of Africa. 
 
The have thrived in this green spot in northern Colombia, but Echeverri warns they are a hazard for the local area and its environment. 
 
They break fences and defecate in the rivers. 
 
&quot;This is a paradise for them,&quot; said local veterinarian Jairo Leon Henao. 
 
&quot;They have no predators so they are more at peace than they would be in their natural habitat and they have been reproducing faster.&quot; 
 
Hippo aggression 
 
Escobar bought four hippos from a zoo in California and flew them to his ranch in the early 1980s, Echeverri says. 
 
He now estimates there are about 35 in the area. 
 
Doradal and the Escobar&#39;s old ranch lie 190 kilometers (120 miles) from the city of Medellin, which gave its name to his cartel. 
 
Escobar was one of the richest and most powerful criminals ever. His racket grew into a multi-million dollar business that dominated the cocaine trade and was blamed for numerous killings. 
 
Like his gang, hippos can very fierce, naturalists say. 
 
&quot;If they get aggressive they pose a risk to Colombian biodiversity. They could displace native fauna&quot; such as otters and endangered manatees, Echeverri says. 
 
&quot;It is an invasive species and very resistant to everything. They carry diseases that can kill livestock,&quot; Echeverri says, standing by the lake at Hacienda Napoles, where hippos&#39; giant snouts and ears poke out of the water. 
 
They threaten fishing too. &quot;They pollute the water courses where they defecate,&quot; Echeverri says. 
 
Hidden testicles 
 
Since hippos can live for up to 60 years, authorities are seeking a way to manage the herd over the long term. 
 
Costly and tricky attempts to castrate the hippos to curb their spread have not made much progress, Leon says. Only four have had the snip. 
 
It is hard to tell whether a hippo is a male because its testicles are hidden inside, he says. If you do manage to grab a several-ton hippo before it disappears underwater, you have to put it to sleep and go groping around. 
 
So for now, instead of going to war against the hippos as the Colombia police did against their late master, Echeverri and Leon are working just to contain them. 
 
They are building barriers of rocks, trees and wire to keep the hippos from roaming too far, and growing fodder to keep them happy where they are. 
 
The wandering hippos have been sighted up to 150 kilometers away. 
 
Echeverri&#39;s environmental agency has an annual budget of some $135,000, funded by loot seized from drug gangs. 
 
&quot;So far, fortunately, we have had no problems,&quot; said Leon. &quot;They have not attacked anyone.&quot; 
 
Various locals told AFP the hippos seemed peaceful hanging around the village. 
 
&quot;It has become normal to see them around here. It&#39;s like being in Africa. It is a privilege,&quot; said housewife Clara Nunez, 48. &quot;But when one gets close, it is a bit scary.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

Police killed or locked up Pablo Escobar's gang members but not the hippos in his private zoo

More than 20 years after Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar died in a gunfight with police, a strange legacy survives him: his pet hippos. Look out of the window in the dead of night in the village of Doradal and you may see one plodding down the street. Police killed or locked up Escobar's drug gang, but not the hippos in his private zoo. Left to themselves on his Napoles Estate, they bred to become what's said to be the biggest wild hippo herd outside Africa, a local curiosity and a hazard. "I was going to football training this morning about 6:30 and there was one in the meadow, opposite the school," says Lina Maria Alvarez, 12. Just outside the village, Diego Alejandro Rojas, 19, shines a flashlight on a black mass grazing among the tall grass. Its eyes catch the light and shine like glowworms. "They come from the Napoles Estate along the canal after nightfall," Rojas says. "They are like the village pets. I'm more afraid of the snakes than the hippos." Hippo paradise David Echeverri Lopez, a biologist from the regional environmental corporation Cornare, says it is the biggest herd of wild hippopotamuses outside of Africa. The have thrived in this green spot in northern Colombia, but Echeverri warns they are a hazard for the local area and its environment. They break fences and defecate in the rivers. "This is a paradise for them," said local veterinarian Jairo Leon Henao. "They have no predators so they are more at peace than they would be in their natural habitat and they have been reproducing faster." Hippo aggression Escobar bought four hippos from a zoo in California and flew them to his ranch in the early 1980s, Echeverri says. He now estimates there are about 35 in the area. Doradal and the Escobar's old ranch lie 190 kilometers (120 miles) from the city of Medellin, which gave its name to his cartel. Escobar was one of the richest and most powerful criminals ever. His racket grew into a multi-million dollar business that dominated the cocaine trade and was blamed for numerous killings. Like his gang, hippos can very fierce, naturalists say. "If they get aggressive they pose a risk to Colombian biodiversity. They could displace native fauna" such as otters and endangered manatees, Echeverri says. "It is an invasive species and very resistant to everything. They carry diseases that can kill livestock," Echeverri says, standing by the lake at Hacienda Napoles, where hippos' giant snouts and ears poke out of the water. They threaten fishing too. "They pollute the water courses where they defecate," Echeverri says. Hidden testicles Since hippos can live for up to 60 years, authorities are seeking a way to manage the herd over the long term. Costly and tricky attempts to castrate the hippos to curb their spread have not made much progress, Leon says. Only four have had the snip. It is hard to tell whether a hippo is a male because its testicles are hidden inside, he says. If you do manage to grab a several-ton hippo before it disappears underwater, you have to put it to sleep and go groping around. So for now, instead of going to war against the hippos as the Colombia police did against their late master, Echeverri and Leon are working just to contain them. They are building barriers of rocks, trees and wire to keep the hippos from roaming too far, and growing fodder to keep them happy where they are. The wandering hippos have been sighted up to 150 kilometers away. Echeverri's environmental agency has an annual budget of some $135,000, funded by loot seized from drug gangs. "So far, fortunately, we have had no problems," said Leon. "They have not attacked anyone." Various locals told AFP the hippos seemed peaceful hanging around the village. "It has become normal to see them around here. It's like being in Africa. It is a privilege," said housewife Clara Nunez, 48. "But when one gets close, it is a bit scary." (AFP)

Drug lord's pet hippos roam Colombian village

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