Thailand’s oldest hippo Mae Mali to celebrate 59th birthday

Khao Kheow Open Zoo is preparing a special celebration for Mae Mali, Thailand’s oldest hippopotamus, as she turns 59 this weekend. Scheduled for September 7 to 8, the event will feature various activities dedicated to this cherished animal.

Mae Mali has been a beloved figure at the zoo, drawing generations of children and visitors with her cheerful demeanour. Despite her age, which is equivalent to a human aged between 85 and 90 years, Mae Mali remains in excellent health and active, weighing around 1,500 kilogrammes.

A giant fruit cake of various vegetables and fruits will be presented to Mae Mali on September 8 at 9.30am. Visitors are invited to sing Happy Birthday and write personal messages for her. The celebration will also include an exhibition on Mae Mali’s history, fun games, and an opportunity to contribute to the wildlife sponsorship project.

Narongwit Chodchoi, Director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, highlighted the importance of community involvement in Mae Mali’s care.

“We will take care of her until we are old together.”

He encouraged donations to the Wildlife Sponsorship Project through Krung Thai Bank, account number 208-0-74900-5. Donors contributing 1,599 baht or more will receive a commemorative hat celebrating Mae Mali’s 59th anniversary.

Mae Mali’s journey began in Tilburg Zoo in the Netherlands in 1967 when she was just one year old. She moved from Dusit Zoo to Khao Kheow Open Zoo on December 18, 2018. Over the years, she has given birth to 14 babies and continues to thrive. There is hope that Mae Mali will continue to live many more healthy years, possibly becoming the world’s oldest living hippopotamus, reported Pattaya News.

For further information, interested parties can call 038-318444 ext. 213.

In related news, Khao Kheow Open Zoo announced the arrival of a newborn female pygmy hippo. Born on July 10, the baby hippo was introduced to the public on July 25. The zoo’s director, Narongwit Chotchoy, confirmed the birth at 10.30am, noting that both the mother and father are in good health, along with their new offspring.