If you’re planning a trip down under or simply curious about Australia’s unique wildlife, you might wonder: Are there hippos in Australia? It’s a fair question — especially since Australia is home to so many odd and exotic animals not found anywhere else in the world. But when it comes to hippos, the answer is simple…
No, hippos are not native to Australia.
Australia does not have native hippopotamuses. In fact, hippos are not found in the wild anywhere in Australia. These massive, semi-aquatic mammals are native to sub-Saharan Africa and live primarily in rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Australia’s wildlife evolved in isolation for millions of years, which is why it has such a unique collection of animals like kangaroos, koalas, wombats, and emus — but no large African mammals like elephants, lions, or hippos.
But are there hippos in Australian zoos?
Yes! While you won’t find hippos in the wild, you can see them in zoos and wildlife parks across the country. A few of the main zoos where you might spot a hippo include:
- Werribee Open Range Zoo (Victoria) – Probably the best place to see hippos in Australia. This zoo simulates an African savannah and houses a few hippos in a large open space.
- Taronga Western Plains Zoo (Dubbo, NSW) – Another excellent open-range zoo that features African animals, including hippos.
- Melbourne Zoo (Victoria) – Has had pygmy hippos in the past and may still house them.
These zoos often run conservation programs and provide environments that mimic the animals’ natural habitats as closely as possible. So, if seeing a hippo is on your bucket list, a trip to one of these zoos will do the trick.
Has Australia ever had wild hippos?
Surprisingly, there were rumors and even some failed attempts to introduce exotic African species like hippos into Australia in the early 20th century. The idea was part of a strange plan to introduce African wildlife to northern Australia for farming and novelty — a project that never took off. Thankfully.
Had it succeeded, we might have had a hippo invasion problem similar to what happened in Colombia with Pablo Escobar’s infamous “cocaine hippos,” which were released into the wild and are now reproducing rapidly and damaging the ecosystem.
Australia already has issues with introduced species (like rabbits, cane toads, and camels), so adding hippos would likely have been disastrous for local ecosystems.
Could hippos survive in the wild in Australia?
Ecologically speaking, yes, some parts of Australia — particularly the tropical and subtropical north — have environments where hippos could technically survive. But that doesn’t mean it would be a good idea.
Hippos are massive, territorial, and aggressive animals that can be extremely dangerous to humans and other wildlife. Introducing them would likely wreak havoc on native ecosystems, waterways, and agriculture.
Australia has learned (sometimes the hard way) that bringing in non-native animals can have serious long-term consequences.
Final thoughts
So, to wrap it up: There are no wild hippos in Australia, and they’ve never been part of the natural landscape. But if you’re curious to see one up close, you’ll definitely find them in some of the country’s top zoos and wildlife parks.
Australia is already full of fascinating creatures — from hopping marsupials to deadly spiders — so while hippos aren’t part of the package, there’s no shortage of wildlife to discover.
