TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Thabo, a pygmy hippopotamus at the Taipei Zoo, died on Monday, less than four months after arriving in Taiwan.
Taipei Zoo announced that the two-year-old male pygmy hippopotamus sent from Singapore last November passed away early Monday morning. A preliminary autopsy indicated that malnutrition and infection contributed to its death, according to CNA.
The zoo said Thabo arrived from Singapore's Mandai Wildlife Group on Nov. 19 as part of a program to enhance genetic diversity. After completing a one-month quarantine, he was transferred to the African Animal Area.
Keepers assisted him in adapting to the unfamiliar environment through food selection and desensitization training. Following a cautious evaluation, Thabo was gradually introduced to the public, starting in January.
On Feb. 11, keepers noticed a small wound on the side of Thabo’s right foot and began administering oral medication. However, he was highly sensitive to the smell of medicine and consistently refused to take it.
He also resisted wound cleaning procedures, and despite intensive care, multiple abscesses developed on his body. To improve his condition, keepers tried various food combinations to boost his nutrition.
However, Thabo’s appetite did not improve, and he grew increasingly weak. The situation was worsened by fluctuating winter temperatures and cold spells, which were particularly harsh for an animal accustomed to Singapore’s consistently warm climate.
On Mar. 9, the zoo assembled a 24-hour emergency intensive care team to provide constant medical attention, but they were unable to save Thabo. An autopsy conducted by the National Taiwan University School of Veterinary Medicine indicated that Thabo’s condition deteriorated due to a combination of malnutrition and infection.
Taipei Zoo Spokesperson Tsao Hsien-shao (曹先紹) told CNA that caring for large animals is challenging, as treatments such as injections, IV drips, and force-feeding are difficult to administer. Tsao said Thabo’s timid nature further complicated matters, as he refused any food that had medication.
Tsao added that the zoo will continue investigating the cause of Thabo’s infection, assess potential environmental risks to other animals, and review its care protocols to improve future practices.
