A little, big bundle of joy has arrived at the Toronto Zoo. Officials announced Wednesday that an endangered female pygmy hippopotamus was born at the east-end attraction on Sunday. The calf, which is not yet named, was born to 20-year-old mother Kindia after 1.5 hours of active labour. Toronto Zoo said the calf began to stand within 15 minutes of birth and, within a few hours, was confidently navigating the space. Both mom and calf are doing well and are currently resting behind the scenes in their Little Hippo Hollow, which the Toronto Zoo says is off-limits to guests. “Welcoming a pygmy hippo calf is far more than a celebration of new life. Pygmy hippos are endangered, and their wild populations continue to decline due to habitat loss and human pressures,” Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, said in a statement. Indigenous to West Africa, pygmy hippos are listed as endangered, with only about 2,000 to 3,000 believed to remain in the wild. The semi-aquatic mammal thrives in undisturbed forests and swamps, which the zoo says are under threat due to logging, mining, agriculture, human settlement, and hunting. “This birth represents the critical role modern accredited zoos play in conservation, scientific collaboration, and maintaining healthy populations that contribute to the long-term survival of the species,” DeJong added. The calf was conceived in January, when 31-year-old male pygmy hippo Harvey was introduced to Kindia. Zoo staff say this is Kindia’s third calf but warned that survival for the species’ offspring 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,” they said. This isn’t the first time a pygmy hippopotamus has made headlines. In 2024, a calf in Thailand named Moo Deng took the world by storm as pictures and videos of the pint-sized hippo surfaced online, garnering viral fame and even a sketch on Saturday Night Live. The zoo said it will share updates on their calf’s progress and future viewing opportunities as they become available.
