A Japanese zoo has announced a correction regarding the gender of a hippopotamus it has cared for after 7 years of misunderstanding.
According to The Japan News, this rare incident occurred at the Osaka Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, Japan. Gen-chan, a 12-year-old hippopotamus, was identified as a male.
Hippopotamus Gen-chan. (Photo: Osaka Tennoji Zoo)
The Osaka Tennoji Zoo welcomed Gen-chan from a zoo in Mexico in 2017 when he was just 5 years old. Staff at the Mexican zoo confirmed that Gen-chan was male, and all necessary documentation for entry clearly stated this.
In August 2017, the Osaka Tennoji Zoo decided to name the hippopotamus Gen-chan after holding a naming contest. This name was chosen because it matched the energetic nature of a male hippopotamus. Gen-chan quickly became a favorite among visitors to the zoo.
Hippopotamuses typically reach sexual maturity around the age of 10. However, zookeepers began to question Gen-chan’s gender as he did not exhibit territorial behaviors, such as defecating in specific areas or courting females, which is typical for males.
Due to Gen-chan’s large size, it was difficult to visually confirm the animal’s gender through its reproductive organs. Therefore, the zoo requested an DNA analysis in April. On April 16, Gen-chan was confirmed to be female.
The Osaka Tennoji Zoo subsequently announced: “We had no doubts about Gen-chan’s gender as he was identified as male when sent from Mexico. Based on the results obtained, we recognize the importance of re-confirming the animal’s gender, and we are committed to ensuring that this will never happen again.”
In the end, the Osaka Tennoji Zoo decided not to change Gen-chan’s name.
