Hippos to return to Longleat this summer

Ambitious plans for new 21^st century accommodation for hippos at Longleat in Wiltshire has been approved by local planners.

Work starts on Monday 10 February, with the aim of hippos being back living in Half Mile Pond by the side of Longleat House from early summer.

Longleat was home to legendary female hippos Sonia and Spot for almost 50 years and visitors have been clamouring for a return of the breed since their deaths in 2023 and January respectively.

Bosses at the Safari Park are planning to introduce a pod with bull, females and have room to house any resulting offspring creating a self-sustaining family group, a bloat.

The planning application submitted in November asked Wiltshire County Council for permission to build a new hippo house on the site of the existing structure as well as make improvements to the grazing paddock and Half Mile Pond.

It will also feature indoor pools for the hippos and a classroom for educational talks, behind the scenes tours and group visits.

David Leverett, Longleat’s Development Director, said: “We are delighted the Local Authority has given approval to our plans and work is going to start immediately so we are ready to welcome hippos in early summer.

“We know how much guests valued being able to see this vulnerable species when Sonia and Spot were here and they have been asking us regularly to bring them back.

“The development also includes a pontoon for our sea lions so they will be relocated but still be able to be seen – and fed – by guests enjoying the Jungle Cruise and we are also investing in ensuring biodiversity with the meadow area for the hippos.”

Simon Askew, Chief Operating Officer, said: “This will build on our conservation commitments and ensure we are continuing to be at the forefront of breeding vulnerable and rare species.”

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

Sonia and Spot were the most recent and could be seen living peacefully alongside other animals that reside in and alongside Half Mile Pond including sealions, gorillas and colobus monkeys.

Plus, more recently, native beavers who made the area their home.

David said: “Our guests will be able to see the largest free range water habitat in the UK for hippos in human care.

“This is the next chapter in the story of hippos at Longleat and is a really exciting time for us as well as ensuring we continue to keep conservation at the forefront of what we do.”