A rare pygmy hippopotamus has been born at the Athens Zoo for the first time in ten years. Moreover, this is a boy, which is also rare. There are more females than males in zoos around the world.
The baby was born a little over a month ago. He weighed seven kilograms – a real hero. Typically, newborn pygmy hippos weigh between 4.5 and 6 kilograms. Pygmy hippos are native to West Africa. They are on the verge of extinction. They are being killed uncontrollably. In addition, animals are losing their habitat due to deforestation. There are no more than 2,500 pygmy hippos left in the wild.
These herbivores breed well in zoos, so there is hope that the rare species will be preserved.
The little hippo will live indoors with his mother Lizzie until he dares to go out into the open enclosure. His dad, named Jamal, is waiting for him there. The cub’s name will be chosen later by voting.
