Rare Pygmy Hippo Born in Australia

This rare pygmy hippo was born recently at the Taronga Zoo, and is the first birth of a pygmy hippo in the last 23 years. There scientific name, Hexaprotodon liberiensis, refers to ‘of Liberia’ where they are predominately found in the wild.

 See this video;

The pygmy hippopotamus is native to western Africa, and is reclusive and nocturnal. Although endangered in the wild, they do breed easily in captivity. This smaller cousin to the Hippopotamus, the Pygmy Hippo has many terrestrial adaptations but is semi-aquatic and thus, is closely associated with the water. It relies upon the water to keep its body temperature under control and its thick skin moist. There are probably fewer than 3000 pygmy hippos in the wild, making them extremely endangered. The birth of this pygmy hippo is reason to be excited for it reminds us that endangered species can be saved. Their status of endangered is mainly because of habitat loss due to the logging industry, wars and hunting primarily for food and trophies (their teeth are prized as trophies.)

The nearest living relatives to Pygmy Hippos are pigs and peccaries. Wild pygmy hippopotamuses are exceedingly rare and there may never have been many of them in existence at any one time. In 1927, President Calvin Coolidge received a male pygmy hippo (named Billy) from one Harvey Firestone (owner of a large natural rubber plantation in Liberia,) as a gift. It is this one pygmy hippo that is progenitor of nearly every pygmy hippo residing in American zoos today. Pygmy Hippos have a lifespan of perhaps 30-50 years.

This pygmy hippo born at Taronga Zoo  is named “Monifa” – who’s name means “I am lucky” in Nigerian. Lucky, yes.  And isn’t just to darn cute to look at!

Rather like this cute & talented fella, below;

This Hippo Sings!