Endangered pygmy hippopotamus calf – Toronto Zoo
When you see these photos from the Toronto Zoo of their newest resident, you’ll know why we had to share.
A pregnant pygmy Hippopotamus gave birth a week ago—tiny feet appearing after 1.5 hours of active labor.
The calf began teetering around in an attempt to stand within 15 minutes of birth—and was seen confidently navigating the space and nursing with mom 4.5 hours after birth. (Watch the video at the bottom…)
Both the calf and its 20-year-old mom named Kindia are doing well and are resting together behind the scenes enjoying a term of privacy.
Calf survival for this species can be challenging, but this is Kindia’s third birth, and she has proven herself to be an attentive mother, carefully protecting the newborn beneath her.
The father is a 31-year-old male pygmy hippo named Harvey, after Kindia was introduced to him for eight days in January which resulted in this pregnancy.
Kindia (right) with her newborn – Toronto Zoo
“Welcoming a pygmy hippo calf is far more than a celebration of new life,” said Toronto Zoo CEO Dolf DeJong.
Toronto Zoo
“Pygmy hippos are endangered, and their wild populations continue to decline due to habitat loss and human pressures.”
Pygmy hippos are listed as Endangered on the International Red List, with 2,000–3,000 individuals believed to be left in the wild, native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, and surviving in undisturbed habitats.
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Deep in the Ivory Coast rainforest, conservation researchers are working to better protect these elusive animals in their habitat. Researchers from IBREAM are using camera traps and detection dogs to study pygmy hippos, which have long remained hidden from human eyes.
The Toronto Zoo’s Endangered Species Reserve Fund is specifically supporting the Ivory Coast Pygmy Hippo Program.
Kindia and Harvey and their new little one play an important role as ambassadors for their species. Every visit to see them is a chance to learn more about pygmy hippos and conservation efforts that can make a difference—but wait to visit when they are back outside for public viewing.
You can celebrate Kindia’s exciting news by donating to her care through the zoo’s dedicated fundraising partner, the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy.
And, watch the birth video below…
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