Pygmy hippo “Thabo” is to make his debut to the public today, Taipei Zoo said yesterday.
Thabo had undergone a month of quarantine and another month of adaptation to the new environment after he was transferred from Singapore Zoo in November last year.
“Thabo” means “happiness” or “pleasure” in the Nguni languages spoken in southern Africa, Taipei Zoo said.
Photo courtesy of Taipei Zoo via CNA
The person who named the young pygmy hippo expects him to bring hope and positive energy to the conservation cause, it added.
Thabo was moved to the indoor playground at the African Animal Area after his quarantine ended on Dec. 19, living right next to his “senior fellows,” Taipei Zoo said.
At first, one of the senior neighbors, “Chiu Hsiao Chu” (秋小侏), intimidated Thabo, despite his friendly gestures, while “Chiao Chiu” (嬌秋) frequently roared to show Thabo who is superior, it said.
Thabo was so terrified that he did not dare to get close to them, but he got used to the situation and could stay with the two senior pygmy hippos with a fence in between them, Taipei Zoo said.
Thabo, who is spending his first winter in Taiwan, showed reduced levels of physical activity, so wind breaks were added to the doors and windows of his indoor playground, it said.
Thabo’s minders yesterday said he has adapted well to the indoor environment, showing good spirits, temper and appetite, and has interacted smoothly with zookeepers.
Given his successful adaptation to his new life in Taiwan, Thabo would be allowed to meet the public ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, it said.
People visiting Thabo should refrain from knocking on the glass wall, crossing the fence, taking photographs with the flash on, or touching or feeding it or other animals to help sustain the animals’ good health, Taipei Zoo said.
Thabo’s relocation to Taiwan is part of an interregional ex-situ conservation program, with input from Taipei Zoo, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, it said.
The goal is to ensure the survival of endangered species through professional ex-situ care and management, increasing the number of animals through breeding and conserving genetic diversity via proper mate matching, Taipei Zoo added.
Three batches of banana sauce imported from the Philippines were intercepted at the border after they were found to contain the banned industrial dye Orange G, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said yesterday. From today through Sept. 2 next year, all seasoning sauces from the Philippines are to be subject to the FDA’s strictest border inspection, meaning 100 percent testing for illegal dyes before entry is allowed, it said in a statement. Orange G is an industrial coloring agent that is not permitted for food use in Taiwan or internationally, said Cheng Wei-chih (鄭維智), head of the FDA’s Northern Center for
LOOKING NORTH: The base would enhance the military’s awareness of activities in the Bashi Channel, which China Coast Guard ships have been frequenting, an expert said The Philippine Navy on Thursday last week inaugurated a forward operating base in the country’s northern most province of Batanes, which at 185km from Taiwan would be strategically important in a military conflict in the Taiwan Strait. The Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted Northern Luzon Command Commander Lieutenant General Fernyl Buca as saying that the base in Mahatao would bolster the country’s northern defenses and response capabilities. The base is also a response to the “irregular presence this month of armed” of China Coast Guard vessels frequenting the Bashi Channel in the Luzon Strait just south of Taiwan, the paper reported, citing a
The Chinese military has built landing bridge ships designed to expand its amphibious options for a potential assault on Taiwan, but their combat effectiveness is limited due to their high vulnerability, a defense expert said in an analysis published on Monday. Shen Ming-shih (沈明室), a research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said that the deployment of such vessels as part of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s East Sea Fleet signals a strong focus on Taiwan. However, the ships are highly vulnerable to precision strikes, which means they could be destroyed before they achieve their intended
UNDER PRESSURE: The report cited numerous events that have happened this year to show increased coercion from China, such as military drills and legal threats The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) aims to reinforce its “one China” principle and the idea that Taiwan belongs to the People’s Republic of China by hosting celebratory events this year for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the “retrocession” of Taiwan and the establishment of the UN, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said in its latest report to the Legislative Yuan. Taking advantage of the significant anniversaries, Chinese officials are attempting to assert China’s sovereignty over Taiwan through interviews with international news media and cross-strait exchange events, the report said. Beijing intends to reinforce its “one China” principle
RSS