A few years back, they actually published an article on how to ship a hippo:
Hippos
You'll need:
- 1,000-gallon tank per hippo
- 1,000 gallons of water
- Crane
- 1-pound sedative
- Soothing hippo music
- 2 Aspirin (for you)
How to pack:
1. Fill your tank with 800 gallons of water. Start yesterday. Remember, a medium-sized hippo takes up at least 200 gallons. (Just out of curiosity, why do you have a hippo, anyway?)
2. Apply sedative. Take two Aspirin.
3. Hold it, hold it - put the hippo in the tank, first. Start with soothing hippo music, followed by a large winch and crane.
4. Now go relax in a hot bath before the forklift arrives.
WAIVER: We in no way advocate moving a hippo or any animal without the express advice and consent of your local vet or zoo keeper. If you'd like advice from a veterinarian on moving with pets click here .
Um. Interesting. Not the way I'd do it. I've shipped a fair number of large animals in my time, and with a hippo, ditch the tank scenario - it's not going to work. Get them used to entering the crate, where they get food, water, and treats. Once they're comfortable, which will take a week or two, load it into a semi and send it on its way. Ideally, you ride in there with it to provide more food, water, and treats as well as the comfort of your presence.
No crane or winch needed. And under no circumstances, whether it be any sort of megaherbivore, do you sedate the animal; that's asking for trouble, and I have refused to agree to it for that very reason. It's best to deal with a lucid animal, especially when it's bigger than you are.
