Denver Zoo to Say Goodbye to Its Last Hippo After 22 Years

The Denver Zoo is amazing for many reasons. One reason is that the zoo is fun for the entire family. The other reason is because of the zoo's conservation efforts. The Denver Zoo has announced that one of the zoo's most popular animals will be leaving their care. The animals will be leaving Colorado as well.

Mahali the Hippo Is Leaving the Denver Zoo

The Denver Zoo announced that its last remaining hippopotamus will be leaving this fall. They explained that the Nile hippo, known as Mahali, will be moving to a natural wildlife preserve in Texas later this year. Mahali was born at the Denver Zoo in 2002 and has been a crowd favorite.

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Why Mahali’s Move Supports Zoo Conservation Goals

The Denver Zoo noted that they have begun a new goal to reduce the water they use. To provide a good environment for Mahali, they had to provide around 21 million gallons of water per year.

Mahali’s New Home in Texas Sounds Perfect

Mahali's new home in Texas will be better and will have another hippo to keep Mahali company. Mahali has been by itself, and with this move, the hippo will have a new friend to spend its later years with. This move and relocation seem like a win-win for The Denver Zoo, Mahali, and conservation itself.

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Big Changes Ahead for the Denver Zoo’s Hippo Exhibit

KDVR says that Mahali stays in a building that has been open since 1959. The Denver Zoo will also take this time to make upgrades and changes to the historic building. In other words, the building and resources are not quite enough for what the hippo needs.