Taronga Zoo celebrates birth of Pygmy Hippopotamus

Following World Hippo Day, celebrated annually on 15th February, Taronga Zoo Sydney announced the birth on 16th February of a four-week-old female Pygmy Hippopotamus calf born to Australasia’s only breeding pair, Kambiri and Fergus.

The female calf weighed in at 4kg. Since the birth, 13-year-old experienced mum Kambiri and the calf have been bonding in the behind-the-scenes nursery at Taronga Zoo.

Senior Ungulate Keeper Renae Moss shared “Kambiri and the calf have been hitting all milestones we hope to observe - suckling, swimming, and growing daily. Born at a tiny 4kgs, the little calf is now weighing in at just under 20kg.”

Taronga Zoo staff involved in the preparation for this welcome birth voted on the little calf’s name. Taking out the honours, is ‘Lololi’ (pronounced Lol-ol-i), a West African name meaning ‘there is always love’.

Pygmy Hippos are listed as endangered, with an estimated population of less than 2,500 individuals remaining in the wild. Found only in small populations in West African lowland forest and wetland habitats, their population is unfortunately decreasing. Due to habitat loss for logging, mining and agriculture, conflict with humans has increased as habitat is reduced, putting the animals at higher risk of hunting and encroachment.

Guests to Taronga Zoo have the best chances of spotting little Lololi and Kambiri in the morning when the pair are most active exploring their outdoor habitat.

Keeper Moss added “Just like all newborns, Lololi often falls asleep whilst suckling and attempting to climb on mum Kambiri after playing in the pool.

“Kambiri is very attentive to Lololi, especially while she explores the outdoor habitat and familiarises herself with the increasing depths of the pool.”

World Hippo Day aims to raise awareness of the two species of Hippo – the Pygmy Hippo which can be observed at Taronga Zoo Sydney and the Common Hippo, home to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.

Pygmy Hippos are a solitary, mainly nocturnal, semi-aquatic mammal.

Kambiri and Lololi can be seen together in the zoo’s outdoor habitat closest to the Binturongs, while dad Fergus is often spotted snoozing in the pool or sun, in between the zoo’s Asian Small-clawed Otters and Fishing Cats.

A great day out at Taronga has the power to protect. Taronga is not-for-profit, so every visit, donation, stay, shop, or gift purchase, you are saving wildlife. https://taronga.org.au/donate

Images. Taronga Zoo Pygmy Hippos mum Kambiri and calf Lololi Credit: Keeper Scott Brown