Lahore Zoo names new hippo 'Gubbo'

Male hippopotamus brought from South Africa in March named following children's suggestion

LAHORE:

Lahore Zoo has named its newly arrived male hippopotamus "Gubbo" following a suggestion from children.

The naming ceremony featured performances by students of a private school dressed as animals, while a magic show was also arranged for children.

The event aimed to promote interest in wildlife among children and raise awareness about animal conservation.

Lahore Zoo Director Dr Ghulam Rasool, Deputy Director Shahzaib Khurshid, Senior Veterinary Officer Dr Muhammad Mujahid, the CEO and principal of the private school, teachers and students attended the ceremony.

Gubbo was also served his favourite food, including fruits and vegetables, during the ceremony.

Dr Ghulam Rasool said the male hippopotamus had been brought to Lahore Zoo from South Africa in March this year.

The zoo already has a female hippopotamus named Rani.

He said the name Gubbo, suggested by children, was selected to strengthen their interest in and connection with the animal.

Senior Veterinary Officer Dr Muhammad Mujahid said animals could become familiar with names when they were called consistently and repeatedly.

He said an animal could gradually recognise a particular sound as a cue for attention when the same name was used during its daily routine.

He said an animal might become accustomed to a name after it was used consistently for one to two months and could respond through attention, movement or other behaviour when called.

Dr Mujahid clarified that an animal's response to a name did not mean it understood the word in the same way as humans.

Rather, it associated a particular sound with its routine, caregiver or positive experiences such as receiving food. Consistent use of the same name therefore helped the animal become familiar with the sound.

Dr Ghulam Rasool said naming animals was not a new practice, adding that humans had used specific names for centuries to identify and care for domestic animals, particularly cattle, horses and mules.

He said naming captive wild animals was also common at zoos and wildlife centres.

Lahore Zoo has given specific names to dozens of animals, including its female hippopotamus Rani.

According to Dr Rasool, naming animals helped zoo staff identify them and could also foster an emotional connection between visitors, particularly children, and wildlife, encouraging greater interest in animal conservation.