Adelaide Zoo
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Australia’s oldest hippo, Brutus, turns 51!

Today, Adelaide Zoo celebrated a very special birthday. Our handsome Nile Hippopotamus Brutus, one of our oldest and most iconic residents, turned 51!

Keepers spoilt the birthday boy with a special watermelon cake filled with his favourite treats, complete with carrot candles.

Adelaide Zoo keeper Mary Johnson says despite being the oldest Nile Hippo in Australia, Brutus is fit and healthy.

“Brutus is a very happy and healthy hippo and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down yet,” Mary says.

“He has a little bit of arthritis, his molars are a bit worn down and he has small cataracts forming in one of his eyes but aside from that his attitude and appetite is first class.”

Brutus turns 51 2

Brutus and our female hippo, Susie, are the oldest Nile hippos in Australia.

The pair arrived at Adelaide Zoo from Taronga Zoo in 1975. Over this time, they have become firm favourites among visitors and are in prime position at the front of the zoo.

Brutus and Susie have a wonderful relationship and after having 17 calves together, are now enjoying their golden years together.

Both hippos love their daily teeth clean, which gives zoo keepers a chance to check the pairs’ ginormous mouths for lodged food. Each hippo is fed roughly a bale of hay daily and an assortment of leafy greens.

Brutus especially loves lucerne, pumpkin and carrots!