Newborn Pygmy Hippo Is the Most Adorable Animal at the San Diego Zoo

As pygmy hippos near extinction, a newborn baby boy brought hope to the San Diego Zoo. The 12-pound calf was born on April 9 to a four-year-old named Mabel and is the first pygmy to be born at the zoo in over 30 years.

Photo: Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo

“Mom and calf are doing very well. The calf is nursing and getting lots of attention from the first-time mother,” the zoo announced. The hippo was born in the Lost Forest area of the zoo, which is a protected indoor pygmy hippo habitat. The baby is developing quickly, already weighing 25 pounds, and actively follows his mother around.

The little hippo has become somewhat of a rockstar at the zoo, meeting and excelling at the milestones set for a newborn with his ability to already go underwater at the outdoor maternity habitat. The mother and baby are still about a month away from accessing the main habitat where the baby’s father, Elgon, lives.

Photo: Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is dedicated to helping dozens of endangered species through fundraising efforts and volunteer programs. The organization provides online entertainment for animal lovers via livestreams of polar bears, platypuses, elephants, tigers, giraffes, and more.