Hippos return to Longleat lake

Thursday, 30 April 2026 at 07:40

By Shaun Moore

A new pod of hippos has been introduced at Longleat Safari Park.

Lola, Matylda, Manon and Hodor arrived last summer and have now been released into Half Mile Pond after a period of settling in.

The animals had been living in a specially designed facility known as the “hippodrome” while getting used to their surroundings.

Visitors can now see the hippos during the park’s Jungle Cruise, alongside other animals including gorillas, monkeys and sea lions.

Keepers say the move marks an exciting milestone, with hopes the group will contribute to conservation efforts for the vulnerable species.

The return of hippos also forms part of Longleat’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

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