SEATTLE — Woodland Park Zoo's only hippopotamus is moving to a new home later this month, the zoo said in a release Thursday.
The zoo's only hippo, Lupe, will be moving to her new home where she can live with other hippos. The zoo the last day to see Lupe at the Woodland Park Zoo will be Sept. 24.
According to the zoo, the 24-year-old Lupe currently lives in the hippo habitat in the African Savanna. She was born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and moved to Woodland Park Zoo in 2003.
Lupe became Woodland Park Zoo’s last remaining hippo after Lily was humanely euthanized in April due to declining health and quality of life following a cancer diagnosis.
Zoo officials said Lupe's new home will be withheld until she arrives safely and settles into her new surroundings.
“We understand the sentimentality around hippos at the zoo and the treasure trove of memories community members have cherished, particularly the joy in watching the countless pumpkins and watermelons tossed to the hippos in their pool over the years,” said Martin Ramirez, Woodland Park Zoo interim senior director of animal care. “We’re going to miss Lupe, and we know how much our zoo family and community will miss this wonderful hippo, too. While in some ways it was a tough decision to move her because she is so beloved, in other ways it was an easy decision because hippos are very social animals, and she needs the companionship of other hippos so she can continue to thrive. Her well-being and a healthy, long life remain our priority and we’re fully confident in the expertise and dedication of the animal care team at her new home.”
For over 50 years hippos have been a mainstay at the Woodland Park Zoo.
Once Lupe leaves, zoo officials said new hippos will not be brought in to live in the existing habit. Woodland Park Zoo said water sustainability is a "significant consideration" in the decision to not house hippos.
The hippo habitat, which opened in 1980 as part of the African Savanna, has aged and is not sustainable for semi-aquatic mammals, according to the zoo. Water usage in the hippo pool accounts for almost 20% of the zoo's total water usage each year.
The zoo said it will be exploring future possibilities for the hippo habitat.