KOLKATA: A hippopotamus at Alipore zoo, unable to move probably because of a neurological disease or a leg injury, has stayed put in a pool of water in its enclosure for the past fortnight and refused to leave even in the evening for its night sheltera sharp departure from its normal routine.Zoo authorities have set up a five-member medical team to monitor the three-and-a-half-year-old resident — named Hippo One — 24×7 and are in touch with other zoos to decide on the course of treatment. For now, the hippo enclosure has been cordoned off with “view-cutters”.Zoo officials said there were some signs of improvement in the condition of the male hippo, which was brought from Odisha’s Nandankanan Zoological Park in Sept 2024. The animal has slowly started eating its normal diet — a mix of sweet potato, carrot, green grass banana, and sugarcane top.“It is slowly responding to treatment, but we are yet to arrive at a definitive diagnosis,” zoo director Tripti Sah said. “At this stage, we cannot say with certainty what it is suffering from — a neurological ailment or a leg injury. Three doctors from the zoo and two from a veterinary hospital in Belgachhia are treating itThe team is continuously monitoring its condition… We are, however, hopeful about recovery.”Sah said. Officials have decided against forcibly moving the close to two-tonne hippo out of the water.The young male was brought to the Alipore address with a female companionfrom Nandankanan, who The female died within days of arrival. The cause of her death remains unknown. The zoo now houses another hippopotamus — a 22-year-old female — in an adjacent enclosure. SSources said following the female’s deaththis, Hippo One had become less active and showed signs of depressionand loss of appetite. By the second half of 2025, it gradually regained mobility and resumed eating normally.About the AuthorTamaghna BanerjeeTamaghna Banerjee, a reporter from Kolkata, covers crime, aviation, human rights and politics. He has a keen interest in human interest and rural reporting. He has done his postgraduation in journalism and mass communication. He has a total of 14 years in journalism.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosImran Khan’s Family Stages Prayer Protest After Being Barred From Meeting Him At Adiala JailImran Khan’s Sister Aleema, PTI Members Hold Prayers Outside Adiala Jail After Meet DeniedTharoor Flags UN Charter Violations, Voices Concern Over US Action In VenezuelaUS Issues Blunt Warning To Indian Students: Breaking Laws May Cost Visas, Careers And Future DreamsCongress-BJP Tie-Up Claims In Ambernath Create Rift, Put Mahayuti Alliance Under Fresh Strain“Worst Kind of Discrimination in PoJK”: UKPNP Chairman Flags Deepening CrisisNo Compromise On Terror: PM Modi, Benjamin Netanyahu Reaffirm India Israel Strategic PartnershipOwaisi Slams MCD Demolition, Says Turkman Gate Land Fully Belongs To WaqfNehru Catered To Liaquat Ali Khan, Ignored Somnath History: BJP MP Sudhanshu TrivediUS FARA Filings Expose How Pakistan Lobbied Washington To Somehow Stop India’s Operation Sindoor123Photostories9 mistakes to avoid while making biryani at homeWinter Special: How to make traditional Besan Ka Sheera at home5 adorable-looking animals that are surprisingly deadly5 red flags people often ignore in friendships (But shouldn’t!)6 classic non-vegetarian Cutlets to enjoy during winter monthsVijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ to Prabhas’ ‘The Raja Saab’: Biggest South releases for Pongal 2026Can you guess the temples and places featured on INR 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 currency notes?How to add smoky flavour to winter dishes without using a tandoor at home”I just read somewhere that 20% of American meals are consumed in a car!” Sadhguru shares tips on the right way to eat foodRepublic Day 2026 long weekend travel ideas from Delhi-NCR; places to go, things to do123Hot PicksBudget 2026Venezuela NewsGold rate todayStock Market TodayCigarette price hikePublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMLB Trade RumorsTommy Fleetwood and Clare Fleetwood Net WorthTravis KelceTaylor SwiftJimmie Johnson Net WorthEdward CabreraJamahal HillValentino Rossi and Francesca Sofia Novello Net WorthBrad Marchand Net WorthNHL Trade Rumor
KOLKATA: A hippopotamus at Alipore zoo, unable to move probably because of a neurological disease or a leg injury, has stayed put in a pool of water in its enclosure for the past fortnight and refused to leave even in the evening for its night sheltera sharp departure from its normal routine.Zoo authorities have set up a five-member medical team to monitor the three-and-a-half-year-old resident — named Hippo One — 24×7 and are in touch with other zoos to decide on the course of treatment. For now, the hippo enclosure has been cordoned off with “view-cutters”.Zoo officials said there were some signs of improvement in the condition of the male hippo, which was brought from Odisha’s Nandankanan Zoological Park in Sept 2024. The animal has slowly started eating its normal diet — a mix of sweet potato, carrot, green grass banana, and sugarcane top.“It is slowly responding to treatment, but we are yet to arrive at a definitive diagnosis,” zoo director Tripti Sah said. “At this stage, we cannot say with certainty what it is suffering from — a neurological ailment or a leg injury. Three doctors from the zoo and two from a veterinary hospital in Belgachhia are treating itThe team is continuously monitoring its condition… We are, however, hopeful about recovery.”Sah said. Officials have decided against forcibly moving the close to two-tonne hippo out of the water.The young male was brought to the Alipore address with a female companionfrom Nandankanan, who The female died within days of arrival. The cause of her death remains unknown. The zoo now houses another hippopotamus — a 22-year-old female — in an adjacent enclosure. SSources said following the female’s deaththis, Hippo One had become less active and showed signs of depressionand loss of appetite. By the second half of 2025, it gradually regained mobility and resumed eating normally.
