Ernie, the oldest hippo in Europe, celebrates great 55th birthday!
Ernie, the oldest hippo in Europe, celebrates great 55th birthday!
On March 31, 2025, Ernie, the hippo bull of the Zoom Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen, celebrated its impressive 55th birthday. Since moving into the then Ruhr Zoo in 1971, he has not only been the oldest hippos in Europe, but also a popular animal for both the nurses and the numerous visitors to the world of experience. On his day of honor, Ernie was spoiled with a feast that not only called for his good appetite, but also offered a creative highlight: the zookeepers draped a large "55" of fresh lettuce heads to celebrate the event.
In addition to the lettuce heads, Ernie received dried hay, which was prepared in pellet form. This was necessary because he had difficulty eating normal hay due to his age. Also sugared beet chips were on the menu, which he quickly consumed with pleasure. His popularity is not only shown in the numerous congratulations from zoo fans, but also in the enthusiasm of the employees who look forward to his old age and hope for many other birthday parties. reports that ...
a hippo with a long history
Ernie was born on March 31, 1970 and came to the zoo in Gelsenkirchen at the age of just ten months. While many hippos in the wild are rarely older than 45 years, Ernie has achieved a remarkable lifespan at the age of 55. No other animal in the zoom experience world lives as long as he is. In the past decades, he has also created about a dozen offspring with his partner Rosl. In the world of Africa, Ernie lives together with the females Asita and Rupia. Zoom Erlebniswelt adds that ...
The popularity of Ernie is undeniable. His friendly character made him a darling of the visitors. He has won many hearts over the years - not only through his appearance, but also through his interactions with the nurses and the audience.
hippos in danger
The joy of Ernie's birthday is contrasting to the challenges that hippos confront in nature and human attention. A different hippo lady, Nicole, was recently put to the Zoo Berlin, as she suffered from an undetectable tumor. This sad news recalls how fragile the life of these impressive animals can be. Nicole was only 24 years old; In the wild, hippos usually reach an age of around 50 years. Their history shows that every year of life that hippos like Ernie reaches is a small reason for the celebration. DetailsQuellen