Yes, this is a serious question. And no, it’s not actually for me.
I know someone who would honest to God really, seriously, like a pygmy hippopotamus. And who may have the resources to purchase one and care for it. I’ve spent some time on Google, and haven’t found the answers I seek. What I would like to know is:
Is it actually possible to buy them?
How much would one cost? Any ideas at all?
Would one need some sort of special veterinary license to keep one?
Probably not, unless this person has the funds to start their own zoological park (pay full-time wildlife veternarians, import/grow native foods, support more than one animal [pygmy hippos get lonely] ). Also, whatever country where they live would probably have to give permission for their export. They wouldn’t likely give that permission to an individual.
Dunno. Millions, possibly.
I would say yes. Every mammal is unique, and I’m sure hippos have some unique physiology that would require special study for any vet.
Yes. Hippos aren’t the cute jolly animals of “Fantasia”. They are very mean, even the pygmy ones. One wildlife show I just saw recently said that more people are attacked and killed by hippos in Africa than by any other predetory animal (lions, leopards, hyenas, etc.). They’re also very fast, at least faster than humans.
Is the pygmy hippopotamus an endangered species? If so, the Feds may make it very difficult for a private citizen to keep one. For non-endangered exotic animal species, whether you can keep them depends in part on state and local regulations. For example, in Kansas, there appears to be no state law against it, but some counties have ordinances against it.
Given enough money and resources, who knows? If Micahel Jackson can have a private menagerie, why not your friend? OTOH, I don’t know if Jacko’s private zoo has anything more exotic than giraffes, elephants, tigers, orangutans, chimps, ostriches, and llamas. If I wanted a zoo animal, then I’d go to a zoo and inquire.
Hippos have always beem one of my favorite animals. For some reason, I feel compelled to mention Peter Potamus and his patented hippo hurricane holler.
When I was at the Whipsnade animal park in England with Fierra last month, they claimed that not only were the pygmy hippos not endangered, but they were not even threatened.
Surely not millions for one, right? I would have expected $10,000 or so. And while they do eat a lot, they’re just so damned cute!
And, at only 3 feet tall and 400 pounds, they are not too scary. Right…?
[gayla peavey]
I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a Hippopotamus will do
Don’t want a doll
No dinky tinker toy
I want a Hippopotamus to play with and enjoy!
[/gayla peavey]
Seriously, I’m pretty sure pygmy hippos are an endangered species, which means that they would be impossible to keep.
[next verse]
I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a Hippopotamus will do
No Crocodiles, or Rhinoceroses
I only like Hippopotamuses
And Hippopotamuses like me toooo
There’s lots of room for him
In our two-car garage.
I’d feed him there and wash him there
And give him his massage.
…
Mama says a hippo
Would eat me up, but then
Teacher says a hippo is a vegetarian.
According to the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species, Pygmy Hippos are considered Threatened at the “Vulnerable” level. There are basically three levels of “Threatened” species: “Critically Endangered,” “Endangered,” and “Vulnerable.” Therefore, technically speaking, Pygmy Hippos are considered Threatened, but not Endangered.
Has anyone seen those wildlife shows with hippos swimming around in water. Well if you have you’ve also seen a lot of feses floating around with them. We once had a peacock and that was disgusting enough. How about buying this special person a stuffed hippo?
). Also, whatever country where they live would probably have to give permission for their export. They wouldn’t likely give that permission to an individual.
will just have to settle for a run-of-the-mill ordinary pet, like a giraffe or cuddly bengal tiger.