The Toronto Zoo’s Baby Hippo Makes Its Public Debut Today And It’s So Cute It Hurts
The adorable miniature hippo is an endangered species.
It's been a while since the Toronto Zoo has shown off any new baby animals, but you know what they always say, good things take time and we have to say, this might be the cutest addition to the zoo we've seen in years.
The new animal in question is a new baby Pygmy hippopotamus, who was born on August 10th by her 12-year-old mother Kindia who already lived in the zoo. Both Kindia and her new baby are two of only around 2,000 to 3,000 pygmy hippos left in the world as they are an endangered species.
We've begun to introduce our baby pygmy hippo to the indoor habitat and big pool in the African Rainforest pavilion with mom Kindia! #BabyPygmyDiaries pic.twitter.com/BaE837jPk0
— The Toronto Zoo (@TheTorontoZoo) September 18, 2018
Their status as an endangered species has come as a result of the dramatic increase of logging and farming in what had been their habitat. Those who aren't in zoos are commonly found in West Africa, Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Ivory Coast.
@thetorontozooLuckily for Kindia and her baby, they don't have to worry about anyone encroaching on their territory since they're safe in the zoo. Ever since Kindia first came to the Toronto zoo in June 2016 from a different zoo in France, she has been part of a plan aimed to help keep the species alive through a breeding program. This is the first baby out of her 7 births that have survived.
Our baby pygmy hippo is now viewable to the public! You can now visit her and mom Kindia in the Pygmy Hippo Habitat in the African Rainforest pavilion from 9:30am to 3:00pm daily*. #BabyPygmyDiaries pic.twitter.com/Ol1mpj2cVI
— The Toronto Zoo (@TheTorontoZoo) September 19, 2018
If you are already dying to meet Kindia and her new baby, who hasn't been named just yet, you can visit them at the Toronto Zoo starting today! Their home can be found at the African Rainforest Pavilion where they will be available for viewing between 9:30 am and 3:00 pm daily!