The John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan recently welcomed a pygmy hippo calf, marking the first birth of this kind of animal in the zoo’s over a hundred-year history. The zoo took to Instagram to announce the exciting news, stating, “We are thrilled to announce the birth of our pygmy hippo calf!”
The zoo revealed, “New parents Penelope and Jahari welcomed their 11-pound (5-kilogram) bundle of joy on September 3rd. This marks a historic moment as it is the first pygmy hippo calf born at the zoo.”
The zoo highlighted that pygmy hippos are an endangered species, with the wild population estimated to be less than 2,500 individuals. Therefore, each pygmy hippo birth is a crucial step in conservation efforts. While the mother and calf are bonding, the zoo’s animal care team is attentively monitoring them. Both are currently doing well.
The zoo also shared pictures of Penelope giving birth to the calf and their interactions, along with a cute “headshot” of the baby hippo.
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In a previous report, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand welcomed a pygmy hippo named “Moo Deng” in July last year. With promotion on social media, this cute creature quickly gained worldwide popularity and attracted many fans to visit.
According to National Geographic, pygmy hippos share a similar appearance and coloration to regular hippos, with the main difference being their size. Pygmy hippos are about ten times smaller than their larger counterparts.
Adult pygmy hippos can weigh up to 600 pounds (272 kilograms), which may sound heavy, but common hippos can weigh as much as 4.5 tons at times.
In the wild, pygmy hippos primarily feed on grass and aquatic plants. However, “Moo Deng” and other pygmy hippos living in zoos mainly consume leafy greens and so-called “herbivore biscuits” to supplement their diet with additional nutrients.
Another significant difference between pygmy hippos and common hippos is their geographical distribution. Common hippos are found throughout central and southern Africa, including a small region extending north along the Nile River to the Mediterranean.
Pygmy hippos, on the other hand, are native to forests and swamps in West Africa, where they mostly lead solitary lives. This contrasts with common hippos, which typically live in groups of around 40 individuals or even up to 200.