Toronto Zoo announces birth of endangered pygmy hippo calf

The Toronto Zoo has welcomed a new addition: a female pygmy hippo calf born to 20-year-old mother Kindia. The newborn took her first steps within minutes of her birth on Sunday morning, marking a joyful event for the zoo.

This is Kindia's third calf, and she successfully raised her previous offspring, Penelope, in 2018. Zoo officials noted that calf survival can be challenging for this species, and the team is closely monitoring both mother and calf around the clock during these critical early days. The public cannot yet see the calf as she needs time to bond with Kindia.

The birth is particularly significant because pygmy hippos are classified as endangered. Habitat loss due to logging and human settlements has severely impacted their wild populations, with estimates suggesting only 2,000 to 3,000 individuals remain globally, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The calf was conceived after Kindia was introduced to a 31-year-old male pygmy hippo named Harvey for eight days in January. She began showing signs of labor early Sunday morning, and after several hours, successfully gave birth. The calf was observed nursing approximately 4.5 hours after birth. The zoo has not yet announced a name for the new arrival, which has drawn comparisons to the internet-famous pygmy hippo Moo Deng from Thailand.

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Kindia successfully raised her daughter Penelope in 2018, and calf survival for this species can be challenging. Our team will continue to closely monitor both mom and calf around the clock during these important first days to ensure they continue to progress well together.