The Montgomery Zoo Announces Birth of New Pygmy Hippo

The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum is proud to announce the birth of a pygmy hippopotamus calf. The male calf was born on April 3, 2016 at the Montgomery Zoo. Please join the Zoo on Tuesday, July 5 at 3PM to celebrate the debut of the calf with his mother in their newly renovated exhibit located in the South America realm of the Zoo.

The calf’s mother, Lola, was born in 2008 at the Marwell Zoo in England and his father, Nile, was born in 2002 at the Singapore Zoo. This pygmy hippo birth is important because males are not often born in captivity. Additionally, this calf is not currently represented genetically in the North American pygmy hippo population.

Since birth, the calf and his mother have remained off display to allow time for bonding. A new exhibit has been constructed in the South America realm of the Zoo. This area will provide a safe and secure environment for the young calf while on display to the public.

The pygmy hippopotamus is a large mammal native to the forests and swamps of western Africa. A cousin of the much larger common hippopotamus, the pygmy hippo is semi-aquatic and relies on proximity to water to maintain moisturized skin and a cool body temperature. Reclusive and nocturnal, it is a difficult animal to study in the wild. However, pygmy hippos have a history of breeding well in captivity. The World Conservation Union estimates that less than 3,000 pygmy hippos remain in the wild.

Though pygmy hippos share the same general form as the hippopotamus, they grow to approximately half the height and one quarter of the weight of their larger cousins. Full grown, the pygmy hippo typically reaches 30-32 inches in height, 59-70 inches in length, and 400-600 lbs. in weight. It is estimated that pygmy hippos can grow to ten times their birth weight by the age of five months.

The Montgomery Zoo’s other adult pygmy hippopotamuses can be viewed in their permanent exhibit in the Africa realm of the Zoo. Mother and calf will be temporarily located in their newly renovated exhibit in the South America realm.

The calf’s grand entrance will coincide with the Zoo’s Twilight Tuesday event. On Tuesdays during the month of July, Zoo and Museum hours will be 11AM-7PM with the last admission at 6:30PM.

The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum is open daily from 9am-5:30pm with the last ticket being sold at 4pm. Animal exhibits begin closing at 4:30pm. Discount combo admission to the Zoo and Mann Museum is Adults $20, Children (3-12 years) $15, and Toddlers (2 years and under) Free. Regular admission to the Zoo only is Adults $15, Children (3-12 years) $11, and Toddlers (2 years and under) Free.