“We’re absolutely thrilled,” exclaimed Noi Psaroudaki, the zoo’s wildlife veterinarian, as she shared the exciting news. “This is the first birth in the zoo in 2024, and what a birth!”
Breeding efforts for pygmy hippos have been complicated by a lack of male specimens in captivity, making the birth of a baby boy particularly special. “Every captive birth of pygmy hippos is extremely important,” Psaroudaki emphasized. “We’re very happy to see this baby grow into a healthy adult hippo, and hopefully one day reproduce.”
Native to the swamps and rainforests of western Africa, pygmy hippos face severe endangerment, with only an estimated 2,000-2,500 individuals remaining in the wild. Weighing in at a mere 7 kg (15.4 pounds), the male calf, born on Feb. 19, joins his parents Lizzie and Jamal as the zoo’s sole pygmy hippo residents.
As the solitary and nocturnal creature adjusts to life outside the womb, he will remain under the watchful care of his mother for the next few months before venturing into the outdoor enclosure. And, in a democratic twist, the zoo plans to let the public decide on a name for the newest addition to their pygmy hippo family.
