MAE’MALI
The Oldest Hippopotamus
Dusit Zoo is the first zoo opened in Thailand. There are many things to do such as watŕš that happens on every afternoon during holiday:, animal feeding.
ŕš hing seal shows, riding a tour bus around the zoo, pedal boats, and the highlight is an event
“The Oldest Animal In The Zoo� And when we talk about hippopotamus in Dusit zoo, Mae Mali, a 51 years old hippopotamus is a name that will always be on the list.
Usually, the average age for hippopotamus is 40 years old but with great care from keepers Mali‘s life span becomes longer than hippopotamuses in the wild.
Hippopotamus was commonly found near rivers in Africa. Now hippopotamus is an endangered species because human hunt them for their teeth.
“Special Event� Dusit zoo got Mae Mali from Tilburg zoo (Beekse Bergen Safari Park) in Netherland on June 8, 1967 when she was a year old. Every year on the 24th of September, the zoo will hold a birthday party for Mae Mali.
Since then Mali had given births to 14 calves which currently lives in various zoos across Thailand. After stay here for 50 years, Mali became a grandmother to all animals in the zoo.
Sompong Sawadnum, a third generation head keeper who had taken care of Mali for 13 years said, “Mali is a kind hippo, she never hurt kids and often bring youthful memories back to adults who once was a child to come back and give her a visit.�
He also pointed out that Mali still loves to be fed by kids but her movements are slower and her sight was not as clear as before due to old age.
“Mali loves everyone”
From what we can see, more than one keeper takes care of Mali dues to her ages, leads to separate jobs for each keepers.
Food, cleaning, and healthcare are important, and even though the keepers feel tired, but they still got up early to make sure everything is going well.
Editor & Photographer 90600003 Chanyapat Techakasamsuk
90600051 Nalinporn Karncharoen