Toronto Zoo welcomes endangered pygmy hippo calf born to mom Kindia
Toronto: The Toronto Zoo has a new resident — and she arrived fast. A pregnant pygmy hippopotamus named Kindia gave birth a week ago after 1.5 hours of active labor. The calf was teetering and trying to stand within 15 minutes, and was nursing and confidently exploring 4.5 hours later.
Both Kindia, 20, and the newborn are doing well and resting together behind the scenes. This is Kindia’s third calf, and zoo staff say she has proven to be an attentive mother. The father is Harvey, a 31-year-old male. The pair were introduced for eight days in January.
“Welcoming a pygmy hippo calf is far more than a celebration of new life,” said Toronto Zoo CEO Dolf DeJong. “Pygmy hippos are endangered, and their wild populations continue to decline due to habitat loss and human pressures.”Pygmy hippos are listed as Endangered on the International Red List, with an estimated 2,000–3,000 left in the wild in the forests and swamps of West Africa.
Calf survival can be challenging for the species, but zoo officials are optimistic. The birth also supports conservation work. The Toronto Zoo’s Endangered Species Reserve Fund backs the Ivory Coast Pygmy Hippo Program, where researchers use camera traps and detection dogs to study the elusive animals.
Kindia, Harvey, and the calf will serve as ambassadors for their species. The zoo asks visitors to wait until they are back on public display to see them. Those who want to help can donate to the calf’s care through the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy.
