Hippo from Mysore zoo delivers calf

Chennai, June 7 (UNI) A seven-year-old Hippopotamus, Soundarya, brought from Mysore Zoo about four months ago, has delivered a calf at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP) at Vandalur, about 35 km from the city.

AAZP sources said that the calf, weighing about 25 kg, was born on June three.

The new born calf was keeping in good health.

Since Soundarya was pregnant when it was brought from Mysore Zoo on January 31, it was not released into the exhibit area. After two or three months, both Soundarya and the calf would be released into a separate enclosure for the benefit of the public.

Post delivery, the diet for Soundarya had been increased by the Zoo officials. It includes grass fodder, vegetables and wheat bran.

At present, the AAZP houses three hippos, including a male hippo from the Basel Zoo in Switzerland.

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