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Housing in Captivity:-
An enclosure 200 feet long and 150 feet
width, with a tank 100 feet length and 50
feet breadth is sufficient for a pair of
Hippopotamus. Access to the pool is by means
of a rather steep concrete stairway. The
enclosure should be surrounded by a strong
brick wall about 7 feet high.
Feeding in Captivity:-
Wheat bran -10 kgs
White Bengal gram -250 gms
Salt - 250 gms
Potato -500 gms
Carrot -2 kgs
Cabbage - 1 kg
Onion - 250 gms
Banana - 10 nos.,
Grass - 150 kgs
Green Leaves - 5 kgs
Bread - 2 loaves ( 800 gms)
Multivitamin Mixture on alternate days
Stylo/ Lucerne Grass -10 kgs
Transport:-
A metallic cage and a wooden
cage with iron bars in between were used
to transport respectively. A continuous
spray of water and feeding grasses were
practiced while travelling.
Breeding:-
Most of the Zoos successfully
bred Hippopotamus. The gestation period
is 240 days.. Both the parents (Mother and
father) can be allowed along with the young
one.
Prophylactic measures:-
Animals must be protected against ecto and
endo parasites. Regular deworming against
roundworms and tapeworms at least once in
three months should be carried out in a
Zoo
Treatment in sickness:-
Generally, the old male
Hippos suffered a lot due to their over-grown
molars. The molars pierced near the nostrils
and shown its tip out of the artificial
hole. Towards the end arthritis will hamper
the movements.
The common ailments occurred
are Dyspepsia, Enteritis, arthritis and
wounds (Infighting, Self-inflicted and Punctured
wounds). The common treatment given are
Antibiotics mixed in the feed, Himalayan
battisa and wound dressing by antiseptic
spray.
Other common conditions
occurring in the Hippopotamus are Bloat,
Anorexia, enteritis and wounds due to infighting.
Mostly oral medication with sulphadimidine
, Bolus Oxytetracycline, Bolus Lixen, Probiotics,
Liquid paraffin and Liv-52 are used for
the respective conditions. Topical antiseptics
Tincture Iodine, Betadine and Topicure are
used for wounds.
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