Kolkata: A four-year-old male hippopotamus at the Alipore Zoological Gardens is undergoing intensive treatment after being diagnosed with a neurological disorder that has severely affected the strength of its legs, zoo officials said on Sunday.
According to authorities, the nerve-related condition has left the animal unable to walk, forcing it to remain in water for nearly three weeks. Zoo sources said the hippo has been lying in water for the past 17 days and is struggling to move on land due to weakness in its limbs.
In response, Alipore Zoo has formed a specialised medical board to oversee the animal’s treatment. The panel includes veterinarians from Alipore Zoo, Belgachia State Animal Hospital and Odisha’s Nandankanan Zoological Park, from where the hippo was brought to Kolkata in 2024. Experts from Ranchi and Mysuru zoos are also providing consultation.
Officials said that initially, forest authorities explored the possibility of using a crane to lift the hippo out of the water for medical care. However, after expert consultations, the plan was dropped. Instead, the medical board decided to proceed with physiotherapy to help restore strength and nerve function in the animal’s legs.
The hippo is currently undergoing physiotherapy using infrared ray treatment. Veterinarians explained that infrared therapy involves the use of electromagnetic radiation to stimulate nerves and improve blood circulation. This form of therapy is commonly used to treat nerve damage, muscle stiffness and joint pain in both humans and animals.
Zoo authorities said infrared therapy has yielded encouraging results in the past at Alipore Zoo. A sambar deer that had lost its ability to walk due to a nerve condition reportedly recovered after about a month of similar treatment. Several other deer at the zoo have also responded positively to this therapy.
A member of the zoo’s medical board said efforts are focused on reviving the hippo’s nerve responses. While the duration of treatment remains uncertain, veterinarians are hopeful that if the nerves respond well, the animal may gradually regain its ability to walk.
