Adelaide Zoo
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Brutus’ 50th Birthday Bash

Today, Adelaide Zoo will celebrate an important milestone for one of its oldest and most iconic residents; Brutus the hippo’s 50th birthday.

Staff and volunteers have gone to great lengths to ensure the birthday boy will be treated like a king on this special occasion, with a three-tiered pumpkin cake filled with his favourite treats.

Adelaide Zoo Keeper, Amy Nelson, says that at 50 years of age, Brutus shows little signs of slowing down.

“Brutus is a very happy and healthy hippo! He doesn’t have any major health concerns, and still has a very healthy appetite… especially for carrots, his favourite treat,” Amy says.

“He is very patient with his outgoing and forever hungry room-mate Susie, allowing her to eat most of their lunch each day! With this in mind, we’ll keep Susie busy in their night quarters a little longer this morning to ensure our birthday boy gets to enjoy his cake!

“Brutus and Susie have a great relationship; you can often see them having a play wrestle in the water just after they’ve eaten lunch.

“Being two of the oldest Nile hippos in Australia and having 17 calves together, they are believed to be post reproduction and are now just enjoying their golden years together.”

This year marks 40 years since the pair’s arrival from Taronga Zoo in 1975. Over this time, they have become firm favourites among visitors and are the first animals visitors see upon entry.

Visitors are invited to come and celebrate Brutus’ birthday on Sunday 24 May with a special Meet the Keeper presentation, activity sheets and free face painting.