Western Restrictions Prevent Pygmy Hippo Breeding at Russian Zoo, Threatening Endangered Species

A female pygmy hippopotamus named Eva, residing at the Ekaterinburg city zoo in central Russia, is unable to meet a mate. Efforts to bring a male hippo from abroad have been thwarted by Western sanctions, according to the zoo director.

Svetlana Prilepina, the zoo director, reported that a suitable male pygmy hippo had been identified at a partner institution in the Czech Republic. However, logistical and legal obstacles stemming from international sanctions have prevented the animal's transport to Russia.

The director explained that the sanctions have made it impossible to bring the male to Russia, thus preventing the formation of a breeding pair with Eva. Finding a mate within Russia was not an option due to concerns about genetic compatibility. The zoo had to look abroad to maintain healthy breeding lines, searching across Asia and Europe.

Pygmy hippos are classified as an endangered species, with an estimated wild population of fewer than 3,000. Eva arrived at the Yekaterinburg Zoo in 2013 from Edinburgh and is now 13 years old.

Like all hippos, Eva is most active in the evening and at night. She enjoys swimming in her pool and playing with a ball, while during the day she prefers to rest in the water, often covering herself with a mat.

Adult pygmy hippos typically stand 75–83 centimeters tall at the shoulder, measure between 150 and 177 centimeters in length, and weigh between 180 and 275 kilograms. Unlike their larger relatives, pygmy hippos are more solitary and less aquatic, spending much of their time hidden in forested areas.