In a positive development for animal conservationists and visitors, the ailing hippopotamus at Kolkata's Alipore Zoological Gardens has begun showing encouraging signs of recovery. After being immobilized for over two weeks, the young male has reportedly started moving and accepting food, bringing relief to the zoo authorities and the dedicated medical team monitoring its condition.
A Fortnight of Immobility and Concern
The three-and-a-half-year-old hippo, identified as Hippo One, had been stuck in the water pool of its enclosure since December 22. For more than a fortnight, it refused to leave the water, even to retreat to its night shelter, due to an inability to move. Zoo sources indicated the probable cause was either a neurological issue or an injury to its front leg.
Concern escalated as the animal, weighing around two tonnes, remained stationary. Officials faced a dilemma when considering draining the moat for treatment. "Hippos are animals that need constant hydration," a source explained, leading to the decision against removing the water. The situation was particularly poignant as the male was brought to Alipore in 2024 from Odisha's Nandankanan zoo with a female companion, which died shortly after arrival.
Multi-Pronged Medical Intervention
A five-member expert medical team was formed to oversee the hippo's care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The treatment protocol has been comprehensive and carefully planned. Nerve-stimulating medicines and antibiotics were administered via injections to address potential bacterial infection, given the painful swelling observed in its leg.
Adding a non-invasive approach to the regimen, veterinarians also employed UV ray therapy. This drug-free method is known to alleviate pain, improve joint mobility, and reduce stiffness. "Ray therapy was planned to give it relief," a zoo source stated, highlighting the multifaceted strategy to nurse the massive inmate back to health.
Path to Recovery and Past Tragedies
The turning point came on Thursday, when the hippo finally responded to the intensive treatment. Observers noted movement, and crucially, the animal began eating again. The zoo authorities are in continuous touch with other zoological parks to consult on the best course of action for Hippo One's full recovery.
This incident follows a tragic event at the same zoo in August 2024, when a 35-year-old hippo died during a dental procedure for overgrown canines. The current case underscores the challenges and risks involved in managing and treating large, exotic animals in captivity. The Alipore zoo houses another hippo, a female approximately 22 years old.
While the immediate crisis seems to be abating, the medical team remains vigilant. The progress offers a glimmer of hope, demonstrating the dedication of zoo professionals in their mission to provide life-saving care to their charges.
