San Diego Zoo’s Pygmy Hippo Calf Explores the World

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: June 18, 2020 11:55 pm

The San Diego Zoo’s pygmy hippo calf Akobi

Photo Credit: Ken Bohn, San Diego Zoo Global.

When we first met the San Diego Zoo’s pygmy hippo calf last month he was a newborn spending time behind the scenes with mum. Today the San Diego Zoo has shared the calf as he took his first steps in to the main habitat.

In addition they have also announced that the calf has been named Akobi, this is the word for first-born in the Yoruba language of West Africa. This is the first calf for mom Mabel and the first to be born at the San Diego Zoo in 30 years.

The calf was born on April 9th and Mabel guided Akobi as the now 2 month old took his first steps in to the main habitat with many new sights to explore.

The San Diego Zoo’s pygmy hippo calf Akobi

Photo Credit: Ken Bohn, San Diego Zoo Global.

In the water he learnt to swim under mom’s watchful eye who made sure to give him a gentle nudge if he ventured in to the deeper water. This is one of the maternal signs which keepers were looking out for. While he was in the water he also would have met African cichlids, a fish species with which they share their pool.

These aren’t the only new friend’s he will meet in the new habitat though. It is also shared with a pair of wolf monkeys and a pair of lesser spot-nosed monkeys. They will gradually be given access to the habitat over the coming week.

The San Diego Zoo’s pygmy hippo calf Akobi

Photo Credit: Ken Bohn, San Diego Zoo Global.

“We’re excited to welcome guests back to the San Diego Zoo, so they can see this adorable calf who has brought his wildlife care team so much joy,” said Leanne Klinski, wildlife care specialist for primates. “Akobi is doing great at navigating the pygmy hippo habitat, and I look forward to seeing the interactions between him and the primates who live in this habitat, too.”

Akobi continues to grow. Keepers track his growth through a weekly weigh in. Recently he has started to taste his mom’s food but he continues to gain most of his nutrition from mom’s milk.

The exhibit is shared with dad, Elgon. Mabel and Akobi will spend morning in the habitat before swapping with dad in the late afternoon. The calf will not meet dad to match their natural behavior in the wild where these hippos live a solitary life.

The San Diego Zoo’s pygmy hippo calf Akobi

Photo Credit: Ken Bohn, San Diego Zoo Global.

Listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature these hippos may number as few as 2,500 in the wild. Logging, farming and the expansion of human habitations have put their number under threat.

See our coverage of Akobi’s birth here – Pygmy Hippo Calf Born at San Diego Zoo | The Animal Facts

Learn more about the San Diego Zoo on their website – San Diego Zoo