CALGARY ZOO HIPPO NEAER-ESCAPE EMERGENCY

CALGARY ZOO HIPPO NEAR-ESCAPE EMERGENCYThe Calgary zoos Savannah building got a little interesting during the south Alberta flood.

By: Garret ChurchillTwo hippos Lobi and SparkyAn astounding crew of a doctor and two curatorsTwo near-death giraffes WHO?

During the flood, Dr. Jake Veasey and two curators, Jamie Dorgen and Colleen Baird, checked all the enclosures where they found the hippos nearly over the glass walls of their enclosure The two giraffes were near freezingThe next morning the one hippo, Lobi, was out of his enclosureThey immediately barricaded all passage ways After freely swimming, Lobi got stuck in a walkway/doorway

WHAT?

The tired trio got to work putting blankets on the stressed and freezing giraffes, then made a sand bag ramp for the big hippo to climb After coaxing the hippo out of the walkway/doorway, he was immediately brought to one of his familiar holding areas Although Dr. Veasey had a rifle, he never used it The giraffes were later moved, but the hippos stayed in their enclosure when the water was no longer highBoth the hippos and the giraffes were not harmed during or after the flood

WHAT?

Part of the zoo is on a small island called St. George Island on the Bow River in Calgary, ABThe near-escape took place at the Calgary Zoos Savannah building, where the hippo and giraffe enclosures are located

WHERE?

June 20th, Sunday: Environment Canada issues high rainfall warningJune 21st, Monday: Calgary is rapidly evacuating. Calgary declares State of Emergency June 25th, Friday (5:00AM-8:00pm): Dr. Veasey and two curators begin their patrol over the flooded St. George Island. Hippos are almost able to swim over their enclosure and giraffes are found cold but fine June 26th, Saturday (5:00AM-8:00pm): Dr. Veasey and curators start patrol again. One hippo (Lobi) found out of enclosure, while other (Sparky) is still in her enclosure. Both giraffes are freezing and immediately given blankets. Doors and window barricaded so Lobi doesn't escapeWHEN? Timeline of Calgary Zoo flooding: June 20th July 1st, 2013

6June 27th, Sunday (5:00AM-8:00pm): Dr. Veasey and curators find Lobi the hippo stuck in a doorway/walkway for human visitors. Unsure of what to do, a rifle is brought in. After thinking it through, they come up with an alternative of making a sandbag ramp. After coaxing Lobi up the ramp, he is immediately taken to a familiar holding area on higher ground behind the enclosure. The night concludes with no further events June 28th, Monday: Flood levels begin to recede on St. George IslandJune 29th, Tuesday: Calgary Zoo begins a long clean-up processJuly 1st, Thursday: Calgary Zoo partially reopens areas not on St. George Island WHEN? Timeline of Calgary Zoo flooding: June 20th July 1st, 2013

7Out of curiosity and reasons unknown (we dont have telekinesis!), Lobi swam over the enclosure wallsDue to the river flooding and high water levels in the Savannah building, it was possible for Lobi to swim over the enclosure wallsThe bravery of the amazing crew and fast thinking probably saved the hippos and giraffes lives WHY?

A hippo is a very deadly creature Hippos can grow up to 1.6 m tall and weigh 600-3,200 kg (1,400-7,000 lb)Latin name: Hippopotamus AmphibiousA hippo mainly eats grass in its natural habitatHippos live in central, west, and south Africa Although hippos can live throughout Africa, they are considered quite vulnerable Although hippos graze at night, they are not nocturnal. They are considered diurnal, meaning they are mostly active during the daytime OTHER FACTS

BEFORE & AFTER THE FLOOD (In the Savannah building)BEFOREBEFORE: Everything is dry outside the hippo tank and hippo tank water levels are 2ft below the glass level AFTERAFTER: Water levels have increased to 4m in some spots and everything is caked in mud

ADDITIONAL VIDEO AND IMAGES

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