'The champion' lives the longest herbivore dies

Bertha - the world's longest hippopotamus, died at age 65 in Manila Zoo, Philippines. It is also said to be the " longest-running " champion among the herbivorous mammals for decades.

In a July 10 announcement, James Dichaves, Manila zoo director, said they found Bertha lying dead in her cage on July 7. Later tests confirmed it died because many agencies were no longer active due to age.

Hippo Bertha while still alive - (Photo: GMA / Jon Montesa).

"Bertha is one of the first animals to live in this zoo. Her partner died in the 1980s, they had no children," he told AFP.

According to information from James, Bertha weighed 2.5 tons, was taken to the zoo in 1959 at the age of 7, but the record of its "home country" was lost.

With the main diet of grass, fruit and bread, Bertha lived longer than other hippos - usually only 40-50 years old.

Zoo officials believe it is the longest living hippopotamus in the world today. Earlier, the hippopotamus called Donna lived in Mesker zoo, the United States is believed to be the longest hippopotamus to live 62 years.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the common hippopotamus in sub-Saharan Africa is facing the risk of extinction in the wild due to habitat loss and illegal hunting.