Mahali is more than a hippopotamus — he’s a Denver icon.

Born and raised at the Denver Zoo, Mahali has spent his entire life here. For over two decades, he’s brought joy to millions of visitors, inspired school field trips, and become part of our city’s story. Denver is his only home.

Now, the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) is planning to ship Mahali away to Texas in the next few weeks, and to never house hippos at the Denver Zoo again.

Why? Because they say Mahali's current habitat is outdated and expensive to maintain.

But here’s the truth:

The Zoo has known this for many years, and they promised to build a new habitat for him right here in Denver. They even raised money for it. That new home never came. Instead, after years of constant delays, they’ve broken their word and decided to send Mahali away forever.

This is a betrayal of Mahali and of Denver.

The Zoo’s leadership and board have had decades to keep their word. They’ve used Mahali to sell tickets, to fundraise, and to inspire community pride. And now, when it’s time to keep their end of the deal, they’re turning their backs.

Their excuses don’t hold water.

• "His habitat is outdated." - The zoo has known for decades that the Pachyderm Habitat needed a replacement. They're using their own postponement and neglect as the primary excuse to exile Mahali.
• "The current building uses too much water." - This is because they failed to build the sustainable facility they promised. By deporting the hippo to Texas, they're claiming an eco-friendly win and hoping they won't get called out. It's not about conservation; it's about money.
• "We don’t have the funds to house him." There are decades of donations, tax dollars, and bonds for the zoo's Master Plan, which always included a rebuild of the Pachyderm Habitat. Where did that money go?
• "It’s for his own welfare." Mahali has known only this climate, this team of caretakers, this home. Sudden relocation can be stressful, risky, and cruel for an older hippo. He may not even survive the trip to Texas.

Denver, this is our fight.

If we let Mahali be shipped away, it tells the DZCA and every other public institution that broken promises don’t matter. It shows that they can take our money, our trust, and our love for these animals and give nothing back.

We demand:

1. That the Denver Zoo immediately halt any plans to send Mahali away.
2. Full public disclosure of all funds raised for the new Pachyderm Habitat over the past 25 years. Demonstrate where the money went, why the project was abandoned, and who allowed this to happen.
3. A renewed, concrete plan to build Mahali a modern, comfortable habitat here in Denver, funded and completed without further delay.

Mahali has been here for us for 23 years. It’s time for us to be here for him.

Sign and share this petition to tell the Denver Zoo: 

Save the Denver hippo. Honor your promises. Keep Mahali home.