After months of training, the hippopotamuses at Werribee Open Range Zoo have achieved a huge healthcare milestone – stepping up to voluntarily receive their annual tetanus immunisation.
Werribee Open Range Zoo animal training coordinator, Kelly Hobbs, said the positive interaction marked the first time that the hippos have accepted their vaccinations voluntarily.
Traditionally, immunisations for the 1400-kilogram mammals would be administered under anaesthetic.
Ms Hobbs said the training the hippos to accept the vaccinations had consisted of a “long journey of small steps”.
“We first asked them to move to an area where we could start safely desensitising them to our touch,” she said.
“We then got them used to different tools, such as a capped or blunt needle.
“And, finally, we provided them with a nice treat for positive reinforcement.
“They have taken to the new process wonderfully thanks to the strong bonds with our keepers.”
Tetanus is a serious infection for hippos which is caused when Clostridium tetani bacteria, which naturally occurs in soil and mud, enters their body through wounds or abrasions.
The common hippopotamus is under serious threat in the wild from illegal poaching and habitat destruction, with population numbers estimated at just 125,000.
The hippos at Werribee Open Range Zoo are part of a regional breeding program to help in the fight against extinction.
Zoos Victoria members and visitors must book pre-tickets online at zoo.org.au, all ticketholders 12 years and over are required to provide proof of their full COVID-19 vaccination.
