GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) It’s here! The John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan, says Penelope, a pygmy hippo, birthed a calf on Wednesday.
The unnamed baby weighs 11 pounds and is the first pygmy hippo calf born at the zoo.
“Pygmy hippos are on the endangered species list with an estimated population of less than 2,500 in their natural habitat, making each birth a crucial step towards their conservation,” noted the zoo in a social media update. “Our animal care team is diligently monitoring the mother and baby as they form a bond away from the public eye, and both are in good health.”
Both Penelope and the male, Jahari, have only recently become part of the zoo’s collection. Jahari was introduced when the pygmy hippo exhibit opened in June 2023, while Penelope arrived a few months later after being transferred from a zoo in Toronto.
The zoo disclosed the pregnancy in early July. The gestation period for pygmy hippos usually lasts between six to seven months. These animals reach reproductive maturity at around age 2 and are capable of bearing offspring well into their early 30s.
