In an extraordinary celebration of longevity, Hannah Shirley, officially recognised as the world's oldest living pygmy hippopotamus in managed care, has marked her 52nd birthday with a festive party at the San Diego Humane Society's Ramona Wildlife Center.
A Landmark Birthday Celebration
The remarkable hippo, who was born in November 1973, enjoyed a specially themed birthday party inspired by the classic game Hungry Hungry Hippos. Hannah delighted guests as she played with colourful balls and unwrapped presents during Thursday's celebrations, showing the same energy that has characterised her long life.
Autumn Welch, Wildlife Operations Manager at San Diego Humane Society, expressed the team's admiration: "Every day with Hannah Shirley is a gift. Her playful spirit and resilience continue to amaze us. Seeing her celebrate 52 years with such energy and curiosity is nothing short of extraordinary."
Breaking Records and Defying Expectations
Hannah achieved a significant milestone earlier this year when she surpassed the previous longevity record, officially becoming the oldest pygmy hippo ever recorded in managed care worldwide. This achievement is particularly notable given that pygmy hippos typically live only 25 to 30 years in their natural habitat.
The elderly hippo came to the San Diego facility under compassionate circumstances, having been rescued from a private backyard in Escondido back in 2002. Since her relocation, she has enjoyed a spacious 13,000-square-foot habitat complete with a pond and pool, receiving specialised care tailored to her advanced age.
Specialised Care for a Senior Resident
Hannah's daily routine includes spa-like treatments that would make any senior resident envious. Her care regimen features regular back rubs, refreshing sprinkler showers, and carefully prepared meals designed to support her health and wellbeing in her golden years.
Angela Hernandez-Cusick, wildlife rehabilitation supervisor at San Diego Humane Society, shared the special connection staff feel with their celebrated resident: "Anyone who meets Hannah falls in love with her. She embodies the joy and connection that make caring for wildlife so rewarding."
Understanding Pygmy Hippos
Pygmy hippos are the smaller relatives of the more familiar river hippopotamus, native to the forests and swamps of West Africa. Unlike their larger cousins, they are:
- Less aquatic in their habits
- Possess rounder, narrower heads
- Have proportionally longer necks
- Feature eyes positioned on the sides rather than top of their heads
- Have only one pair of incisors compared to river hippos' two or three pairs
With approximately 2,000 individuals remaining in the wild, most pygmy hippos are believed to inhabit Liberia, with smaller populations in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast. These shy, nocturnal herbivores remained unknown to Western science until 1840, according to records from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, highlighting their elusive nature in their natural habitat.
