Berlin Zoo mourns Kathi, its beloved 50-year-old river hippo

Kathi, the beloved river hippopotamus at Berlin Zoo, has died at the age of 50. Her passing has left staff deeply saddened, as she was one of the zoo's oldest and most cherished animals. Over her long life, Kathi became a familiar sight to visitors and a key member of the zoo's hippo family. Born on May 17, 1975, at the Silesian Zoological Park in Chorzów, Poland, Kathi arrived in Berlin in 1997. She spent nearly three decades at the zoo, where she gave birth to four calves. Her advanced age was remarkable—most river hippos live only into their 40s.

In recent days, Kathi showed signs of weakness, spending more time than usual in the water. Veterinarians had been closely observing her due to age-related arthritis in her limbs. Despite their care, her condition declined, and the cause of her death is now under investigation. Kathi leaves behind three hippos at Berlin Zoo: Bouli, Nala, and Willi. While her exact number of living descendants remains unclear, her legacy as a long-standing resident and mother will endure.

The loss of Kathi marks the end of an era for Berlin Zoo. Her 50 years made her one of the oldest mammals in the zoo's care. The team will continue to monitor the remaining hippos while honouring Kathi's memory.