Archive · 6 Jan 2026
Young Hippo Stays in Water Amid Cold Wave
A young hippo at a zoo in Kolkata, India, has been standing still in its water enclosure for 13 days during a cold wave.
The hippo isn't eating or going back to its shelter, and the zoo's experts aren't sure why.
They think it might be depressed, sick, or hurt.
The zoo has two other hippos, but one died during surgery last year, and another died shortly after arriving.
The zoo is trying to help the hippo, but it's not getting better.
The zoo's director hasn't responded to calls or messages.
A young male hippopotamus at Alipore Zoo has been in its water enclosure for 13 days during a cold wave.
The hippo isn't eating or returning to its shelter, and experts are unsure if it's depressed or unwell.
Zoo authorities suspected a leg injury but couldn't confirm it, and the hippo's condition worsened when they tried to diagnose it.
The hippo is being treated while still in the water, and if it has nerve-related issues, it might be difficult for it to move.
Alipore Zoo currently has one elderly female hippo, with two others having died recently due to unclear causes.
- Who
- A young male hippopotamus at Alipore Zoo, Kolkata
- What
- Refuses to leave water enclosure during cold wave
- When
- For 13 days and counting, since before Christmas
- Where
- Alipore Zoo, Kolkata
- Why
- Unknown, possibly due to depression, illness, or injury
- Location
- Alipore Zoo, Kolkata
- Animal
- Young male hippopotamus
- Duration
- 13 days and counting
- Temperature
- Below 10 degrees Celsius
- Zoo Director
- Tripti Shah (unreachable for comment)
- Other Hippos
- One elderly female
- Recent Deaths
- One in dental surgery, one after arrival