02/05/11 

Felix the Pygmy Hippopotamus has arrived at Melbourne Zoo from his birthplace at the Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve in the Atherton Tablelands, and is now on display.

He ventured out into his new exhibit on Monday morning, after spending his first three days in Melbourne familiarising himself with his night den and adjacent off-limits area.

Keepers provided treats such as chunks of watermelon and rockmelon to encourage Felix to explore his new surroundings, and he took his first dip in the heated pool .

His Melbourne Zoo night den area is heated, and the exhibit pool is kept at 19 or 20 degrees, even though Felix is used to some cool temperatures in the Atherton Tablelands.

At three years old, Felix is already adult size, at about 250kg.

He was selected for the transfer to Melbourne Zoo as part of the regional breeding program.

His future mate was born last year at Taronga Zoo, and she will be transferred to Melbourne Zoo in 12 to 18 months. She will be ready to mate when she is about three years old.

Unlike their larger cousins the Nile Hippos, Pygmy Hippos are solitary except for the breeding season, and when a mother is raising her calf.

Senior Keeper Adrian Howard travelled to Queensland to meet Felix before the transfer, and to accompany him on the freighter flight that brought him to Melbourne.

Adrian says that Felix travelled very well, sitting quietly in his travel crate for most of the flight.

'When we arrived here, he came straight out of his travelling box and into his new night quarters.

'He seems to be settling in well, and the keepers are pleased with his progress. We will continue to closely monitor him as he adjusts to his new environment.

'His appetite has been good -- he's eating all of his food, leafy greens, lucerne hay, and fruit and vegetables.

'Over the next week or so, Felix may not always be on display, because while he is settling in he may choose to move between the display area and the night den area ,' Adrian says.
'Felix is a bold character, very calm to work with, and we expect him to be very confident on display once he settles in.'