Hippo friend found for Hazina

By Monique Tamminga
Times Reporter
Apr 27 2007

Hazina has a friend.

A 1,000-pound young male hippo named Haben, arrived at the Greater Vancouver Zoo, from Granby Zoo in Quebec, on April 20. Haben was born Aug. 11, 2005 and is roughly half the weight and size of Hazina (the zoo’s female hippo).

“We allowed the two hippos to become familiar with each other through the various stalls in the indoor enclosure of Hippo Haven to ensure the safety of both animals,” said the zoo’s Jody Henderson.

“When Haben arrived at the zoo he was very calm, but was extremely happy to indulge himself soon after in the indoor heated pool,” she said. The hippo enclosure was completed in June 2006.

“Hazina and Haben then stayed up most of the first night along with animal care manager and property manager.

“The hippos communicated by touch through the stalls of the enclosure and with a variety of grunts and growls,” she said.

Hippos have excellent hearing, vision and sense of smell.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better introduction of two animals,” said Jamie Dorgan, animal care manager.

“Hippopotamus are social animals and also very territorial, but Hazina just can’t seem to get enough of him and the feeling seems mutual,” he said.

Hippos spend most of their day wallowing in the water or mud and coming out at night to feed or graze on the land.

At the zoo the hippos eat hay, grain, fruits, vegetables, pellets and graze on the grasses. Haben and Hazina each had a check up with Dr. Bruce Burton, the zoo’s veterinarian on Wednesday morning.

© Copyright 2007 Langley Times
Your Province
Hippo hooray
ZOO: Haben new hubby for Hazina
Stuart Hunter, The Province
Published: Sunday, April 29, 2007

Haben has a new haven and Hazina has a new pal.

The Greater Vancouver Zoo has added a new 18-month-old male hippopotamus named Haben as a companion for female Hazina, now three.

"He's doing great," zoo spokesperson Jody Henderson told The Province. "We're just happy to get a friend for her."

Haben moved to the Aldergrove facility on April 20 from the Granby Zoo in Quebec and, even though at about 450 kilograms he is only half Hazina's weight, the pair appear to be a perfect fit.

"By the end of the first weekend, they were basically staying up all night long and having a great time with each other," Henderson said. "They are extremely social animals.

The Vancouver Humane Society alleged the zoo wasn't properly caring for Hazina in the summer of 2006 prior to the completion of a $500,000 enclosure last year. Two charges of animal cruelty were eventually stayed.

Henderson said the zoo has no plans to breed the pair but, just to be safe, Hazina is on birth control.

Comment: Moved from one prison to another.
Lavone