Safari park plans to bring hippos back

Longleat Safari Park has announced plans to re-introduce hippos

A safari park has said it wants to re-introduce hippos and become a "key part" of the European breeding programme for the species.

Longleat Estate used to have two hippos, Sonia and Spot, who were popular with visitors. However, they died in 2023 and January, respectively, after almost 50 years of living in Wiltshire.

It hopes to bring the animals back by next summer and has submitted plans for a new hippo house and improvements to the grazing paddock and Half Mile Pond.

Simon Askew, interim chief operating officer, said: “We want to be part of the European breeding programme for this iconic species."

Sonia and Spot lived at Longleat for almost 50 years

The park has plans to introduce a bull and females to create a family group, known as a "bloat" of hippos.

The plan also features indoor pools for the hippos, a classroom for educational talks, behind-the-scenes tours and group visits.

Mr Askew added: “Our hippos were much-loved by visitors and staff alike and we want to enable their return as part of our commitments to conservation and education of this incredible species.”

Hippos were first introduced to the Safari Park in 1967, a year after it opened.

Mr Askew said if Longleat were able to bring hippos back they would be able to play a "key part" in the European breeding programme for the vulnerable species as they could have the largest group of hippos in Europe.

“If we are able to bring them back to Longleat, they would have access to the largest free-range water habitat in the UK for hippos in human care and seven acres of grazing land," he said.

"Advances in hippo care means we want to invest in the modernisation of the housing available."

The safari park's plans were submitted to Wiltshire Council on Friday.