TAMPA, Fla. — An endangered pygmy hippo was born at ZooTampa earlier this week.
The unnamed female calf was born Sunday night to 20-year-old mom Zsa Zsa and 22-year-old dad Howie, according to a news release from the zoo. They were paired as part of the Species Survival Plan, which aims to ensure the survival of protected, threatened and endangered species.
Pygmy hippos are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. There are only between 2,000 and 2,499 of them scattered across four countries in West Africa, according to the union's website.
Their population is decreasing because of logging, farming, mining and human settlement. To conserve this species, conservation organizations and governments are establishing protected areas, anti-poaching measures and educational programs, according to the zoo.
“Conservation efforts for species like the pygmy hippo take lots of work and require collaboration across international boundaries. Every birth is a sign of hope and helps save endangered species for future generations to enjoy, appreciate and cherish,” said Chris Massaro, Senior Vice President of Zoological Operations in the release.
This type of hippo is related to the river hippo, which is the one people normally think of, but is a different species. The river hippo is much larger, weighing up to 10 times more and can be twice as large. The zoo said Pygmy hippos also spend more time on land and are predominately nocturnal.
The birth of the calf marks the fifth pygmy hippo born at the Zoo.
ZooTampa also welcomed an endangered Malayan tapir calf last week who was the first spring baby animal born at the zoo in 2024.
