Sept. 5 (UPI) — The John Ball Zoo in Michigan announced the birth of a pygmy hippo calf, the first of its species to be born at the facility in its history.<\/p>\n
The Grand Rapids zoo said on social media<\/a> that the 11-pound calf was born Wednesday to first-time parents Penelope and Jahari.\n<\/p>\n The post said the birth was “a historic moment as this is the first pygmy hippo calf born at the zoo.”<\/p>\n “Pygmy hippos are an endangered species with fewer than 2,500 estimated in the wild, so each birth is a vital step for conservation,” officials wrote. “Our animal care team is keeping a close eye on mom and baby as they bond behind the scenes, and both are doing well.”<\/p>\n Moo Deng, a pygmy hippo born last year at<\/a> the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, took the Internet by storm, becoming one of the top TikTok trends of 2024. The viral celebrity celebrated her first birthday<\/a> in July.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \t\t\t