The male hippopotamus at the Tata Steel Zoological Park. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, July 9: The lone hippopotamus at the Tata Steel Zoological Park might finally get a companion, as the zoo authorities have decided to find a mate for it.

The 15-year-old hippopotamus, which was brought from the Delhi zoo under an exchange programme, has, of late, exhibited restless behaviour. The abrupt change is being attributed to lack of company.

Zoo authorities said he is in urgent need of a female hippopotamus as a mate.

The animal, however, was tame when it was brought here about nine years ago.

“It was a very tame animal. It used to remain under water and come out during the feeding hours. However, recently, there has been a marked change in its behaviour. Instead of staying in the pond, it runs about restlessly in its enclosure. It needs company,” said the authorities.

Zoo director M.S. Jain said they have to modify the enclosure before bringing another hippopotamus. “We cannot take the risk of keeping both the animals in one enclosure from day one. Initially, they should be kept separated for some months before they get used to each other,” he added.

Jain said a separate pond has to be dug before bringing the female hippopotamus. “A partition wall will be built between the two ponds. Besides, we have to ensure that the animals develop familiarity,” he said.

The director said the age and health of the female hippopotamus would have to be determined before bringing it here. “Zoos across the country have breeding centres for hippopotamus which falls under the ‘rare species’ category. So locating a female hippopotamus will not be a problem,” he added.

According to sources the authorities have contacted other zoos, including the Delhi and Kanpur zoological parks, for the female hippopotamus.

Sources said the male hippopotamus here has a diet comprising 60 kg of grass, 2 kg chapatis 1.5 kg bananas and 6 kg mixture of chokhar, corn and chana.