Mumbai Zoo Loses Beloved Hippo Deva to Old Age

Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan in Mumbai is mourning the loss of its 35-year-old hippopotamus, Deva, who passed away on May 13, 2026. Deva succumbed to age-related complications, having been a resident of the zoo since his birth in 1991. His death reduces the zoo's hippopotamus population to three: his partner Shilpa, who is nearing 30 years old, and their two offspring, Ganpat and Mangal.

Given Shilpa's advanced age, zoo officials have not yet decided on introducing a new partner for her. The average lifespan for hippopotamuses is between 35 and 40 years. Deva's remains were interred within the zoo grounds due to the challenges of incinerating an animal exceeding one tonne. The zoo is exploring the possibility of housing smaller pygmy hippopotamuses in the future.

In other zoo news, plans for an Asiatic lion exchange with Gujarat's Sakkarbaug Zoological Park are progressing. The Gujarat facility has given in-principle approval for the exchange, requesting animals in return, such as giraffes, rhinos, or capuchin monkeys. The Mumbai zoo is likely to offer capuchin monkeys, though the process may be complicated by procedural approvals and international movement restrictions.

This news follows the recent deaths of two tigers at the zoo in late 2025. Nine-and-a-half-year-old Shakti died on November 17, 2025, from respiratory failure, and three-year-old cub Rudra died on October 29, 2025.