A safari park has said it wants to reintroduce hippos and become a “key part” of the European breeding program for the species.

Longleat Estate used to have two hippos, Sonia and Spot, who were popular with visitors. They died in 2023 and January respectively after nearly 50 years living in Wiltshire.

It hopes to bring the animals back by next summer and has submitted plans for a new hippo house and improvements to the pasture and Half Mile Pond.

Simon Askew, Acting Chief Operating Officer, said: “We want to be part of the European breeding program for this iconic species.”

The park plans to introduce a bull and females to create a family group, known as a “bloat” of hippos.

The plan also includes indoor pools for hippos, a classroom for educational talks, behind-the-scenes tours and group visits.

Mr Askew added: “Our hippos were much loved by visitors and staff alike and we want to enable them to return as part of our commitment to the conservation and education of this incredible species.”

Hippos were first introduced to the Safari Park in 1967, a year after it opened.

Mr Askew said if Longleat could bring back hippos, they could play a “key role” in the European breeding program for the vulnerable species as they could have the largest group of hippos in Europe.

“If we can bring them back to Longleat, they would have access to the largest free-ranging aquatic habitat in the UK for hippos in human care and seven acres of grazing land,” he said.

“Advances in hippo conservation mean we want to invest in the modernization of the housing that is available.”

The safari park plans were submitted to Wiltshire Council on Friday.

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