Mumbai zoo’s oldest hippo Deva dies at 35

Mumbai: Thirty-five-year-old hippopotamus Deva died at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan on May 13, due to age-related complications. Deva was among the few exotic animals born at the Byculla zoo; he was born there in 1991.With Deva’s death, the zoo is now left with three hippopotamuses — his partner Shilpa, who is nearly 30 years old, and their two offspring, Ganpat and Mangal.Zoo officials said Deva died due to age-related complications and had not shown any signs of illness or discomfort before collapsing in the pool. Ganpat, born in 2018, is currently the youngest among the remaining hippos.Officials said no decision has yet been taken on bringing in another partner for Shilpa considering her advanced age. Hippopotamuses generally have a lifespan of 35 to 40 years.Deva was buried within the zoo premises, with officials explaining that incineration is difficult due to the animal’s massive size and weight, which exceeded one tonne.Authorities added that the zoo may consider introducing pygmy hippopotamuses in the future, as they are smaller in size and comparatively easier to maintain.The zoo has recently recorded the deaths of two tigers. On November 17, 2025, nine-and-a-half-year-old Royal Bengal tiger Shakti died due to respiratory failure following pneumonia. Earlier, on October 29, three-year-old tiger cub Rudra died.Rajesh Chaugule, a wildlife specialist, said, “Zoos are prime institutions that help in the conservation of wild animals in captive environments and promote education to the common public. The Mumbai zoo should upscale the health facilities like regular health check-ups, vaccinations, modern diagnosis and treatment mechanisms, and disease prevention protocols for all captive species. Captive breeding in zoos does not have any conservation value, this should be discouraged as the human-animal conflict is on the rise, recently, we have observed that there is no space for the captured or so-called conflict wildlife. Zoos can also be a rescue centre. India is now the centre for Big Cat Conservation, zoos too should be sensitive about it. I have seen many international visitors too. The current focus should be upscale, upskill and be sensitive instead of adding species.”Meanwhile, plans to bring Asiatic lions to Byculla zoo have moved forward, with Gujarat’s Sakkarbaug Zoological Park giving in-principle approval for an exchange programme involving four lions. However, the Gujarat zoo has sought animals in return, proposing either two pairs of giraffes, one pair of Indian one-horned rhinoceros, or six capuchin monkeys.Officials said the Mumbai zoo is most likely to opt for the capuchin monkeys, which it may source from an Asian country. However, they added that the process could face delays due to procedural approvals and international movement constraints.Zoo officials said that an outright donation of lions from Gujarat, instead of a barter arrangement, would have significantly simplified the process.