1936

Puddles was the Zoo’s first hippo, and he was a character. From the day he arrived at one year of age, he let everyone know he was boss. But he also loved to show off for visitors, opening his huge mouth wide to hear the gasps and exclamations. He did somersaults in his pool, and sometimes he rolled on the ground, waving his stocky legs in the air like a puppy. He was a big draw and helped increase the Zoo’s attendance during the Depression.