Plans to bring hippos back to Longleat have progressed as the Safari Park has now submitted a planning application for a state-of-the-art facility to house the animals.

Wiltshire Council has received plans for a “new modern hippo house” that would accommodate up to eight hippos.

According to application, Longleat wants to become a leader in hippopotamus care, “creating a facility that can be considered a hippo centre of excellence”.

READ MORE: Longleat exhibition among Wiltshire Council planning applications

The layout of the new hippo facility.The layout of the new hippo facility. (Image: Dearadh Zu) The park had previously kept two hippos for almost five decades, but Sonia and Spot both recently died at the ages of 49.

The new plans state: “At the time of their original introduction to Longleat, in 1976, hippos were abundant in their sub-Saharan African home.

“In the late 70’s little consideration would therefore have been given to the need to conserve and protect hippos as a species.”

This old facility is “outdated” with regards to modern animal keeping standards and will be demolished to make way for the new building.

SEE ALSO: 'I don’t want to move': SEND adults forced out of care home

View of the old hippo facility.View of the old hippo facility. (Image: Dearadh Zu) The application adds: “Longleat intends to reintroduce hippos to half mile pond and in keeping with current animal welfare practices this will be done in a sustainable way, which respects and supports the conservation of stocks in the wild.”

Longleat will carry out a phased re-introduction of the animals, with a pair of females, followed by a male, with the hope of having offspring in the next two years or so.

The plans show that the new facility will include a classroom space for education on modern management methods for hippos in captivity.

This area should be able to host “international scientific research groups”, “small groups of local children” and “VIP visitors for hippo-related study sessions”.

The project is described as “extremely important” for Longleat, with the Safari Park being “a significant employer in the district” and providing “vital financial support to maintain the nationally important heritage assets on the estate”.

When announcing the plans for future hippos earlier this month, Simon Askew, interim chief operating officer, said: “If we are able to bring them back to Longleat, they would have access to the largest free range water habitat in the UK for hippos in human care and seven acres of grazing land.

“Advances in hippo care means we want to invest in the modernisation of the housing available.

“Continuing the story of hippos at Longleat would enable us to play an invaluable role in raising public awareness about conservation issues.”

Wiltshire Council is expected to make a decision by the end of January 2025 and, if the plans are approved, Longleat hopes to have hippos by the summer.