Montgomery Zoo to debuts male Pygmy Hippopotamus calf just in time for Zoo Weekend, March 26-27
MONTGOMERY ZOO (Montgomery, AL): The Montgomery Zoo Animal Care team is proud to announce the birth of a male pygmy hippopotamus calf. The calf was born on February 3, 2022 at the Montgomery Zoo. Mother (Asali) and calf (Hardari) will make their public debut on Thursday, March 24, just a few days before one of the Zoo’s biggest fundraisers of the year, Zoo Weekend.
Asali and Hardari reside in a special exhibit, a birthing and after-care suite especially designed for hippo mothers and their offspring. The exhibit is located in the Zoo’s South American realm, near Monkey Island. All public, guests, and media ae invited to join us for Hardari’s public debut on Thursday, March 24 at 10 a.m.
This is Asali’s second calf and father’s (Nile) fourth offspring; however, it is their first calf together. At birth this calf weighed 12 pounds, and since has averaged gaining one pound per day. He is very energetic and spunky, and we look forward to the public being able to see him and mother on exhibit.
The birth of this male calf is significantly important due to pygmy hippos being classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This is the fifth successful pygmy hippo birth at the Montgomery Zoo since 2016. Males of this species are very important as they are more rare than females, so a male calf from this pair is very exciting for us and for the species as a whole.
It has been estimated that there are only around 2,000-3,000 pygmy hippos left in their native habitat, with numbers declining as their habitat is destroyed and they continue to be hunted for bush meat. Fortunately, pygmy hippos breed well in zoos; however, more protection is needed, so that pygmy hippos will not vanish from their native habitats. By partnering with the Species Survival Plan (SSP), the Montgomery Zoo’s conservation and education efforts, breeding program, and Conservation Endowment Fund allies in saving and protecting pygmy hippos and wildlife worldwide.
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. 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 400-600lbs 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 African Savanna and the Pygmy Hippopotamus exhibit near the front of the Zoo.
The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum is a 42-acre zoological facility located minutes from the heart of historic, downtown Montgomery. The Montgomery Zoo features five continental realms displaying a variety of exotic animals native to Africa, Asia, Australia, North America, and South America. A trademark addition of the Zoo is the Mann Wildlife Learning Museum, housing the one of the Southeast’s largest collections of preserved North American wildlife, artifacts, and fossils. The Zoo also features a fresh and saltwater exhibit, Waters of the World, exhibiting aquatic wildlife encompassing the globe.
Daily operating hours: 9am – 5pm, with last admission (entry) at 4pm.
Daily admission: Adults $18, Children (3-12 years) $14, Toddlers (2 years and under) FREE, and Seniors 65 years old and older $16. #
