At an age already beyond the typical life expectancy for her species, Camilla has become a mother again. The almost 55-year-old female hippopotamus at Parco Natura Viva, in Italy, has given birth to her 15th calf.
The youngster, born after an eight-month pregnancy, is the only hippopotamus born in Italy since 2021, according to the park.
At ten days old, the calf weighs around 50 kilograms, compared with its mother’s approximately 2,500 kg. It spends much of its time in the water, where it nurses, while also beginning to take its first uncertain steps on land to follow Camilla.
For the moment, the mother is keeping the rest of the group away from the newborn, both in and out of the water, a behaviour expected to continue over the coming weeks.
Camilla arrived in 1976
“Camilla arrived at Parco Natura Viva in 1976, just three years after the first safari opened,” explained Camillo Sandri, zoological director at Parco Natura Viva. “She has been with us for fifty years, has witnessed the entire evolution of the park from its early years to the present day, and we have already seen her raise 14 calves with impeccable dedication. But at this age, which is already beyond the life expectancy of a hippopotamus, no one would ever have thought that she was still capable of reproducing.”
Camilla gave birth independently in the water after an eight-month pregnancy and remained in the pool continuously during the calf’s first three days.
“After an eight-month pregnancy, Camilla gave birth independently in the water. She did not leave the pool for the first three days of the calf’s life and only began coming out to eat when he was able to follow her, despite his uncertain gait and the effort involved during his first days of life,” Sandri said.
Water plays a fundamental role during this early stage. When the calf becomes tired, Camilla remains still and allows the youngster to use her snout for support, helping it stay afloat without wasting energy.
“So, while to an inexperienced eye they may look like a single large rock emerging from the water, the two remain motionless for many hours, also protecting themselves from the sun and keeping cool. And it is precisely on the availability of water that the survival of this species also depends in the wild,” Sandri added.
Hippos face growing pressure in Africa
The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
According to Parco Natura Viva, hippos are still present in 39 African countries but continue to face pressure from the loss and fragmentation of freshwater habitats, pollution, extractive activities and hunting.
The trade in hippo teeth is an additional threat. Their large canines and incisors are a source of ivory, whose commercial value has increased as restrictions on elephant ivory have made hippo teeth an alternative on international markets.
Between 2009 and 2018, according to the data cited by Parco Natura Viva, international trade recorded by CITES involved parts and derivatives corresponding to approximately 13,900 hippopotamuses.
For Camilla, meanwhile, the latest birth adds another chapter to an unusually long reproductive history: after half a century at Parco Natura Viva and 14 previous offspring, she is now caring for her 15th calf.
