Rare Pygmy Hippo Born at Lowry Park Zoo

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is celebrating its latest arrival, a 14.5-pound pygmy hippopotamus that was born on Saturday.

Dubbed “Pumpkin,” for now, courtesy of her arrival in time for Halloween, the critter is the third successful pygmy hippo birth in the zoo’s history, a media release stated. The bouncing baby girl is the daughter of experienced mother hippo “Zsa Zsa.” The zoo also welcomed baby hippos in 2008 and 2012.

The baby is one of only 30 pygmy hippos in captivity in North America. The population of this species is estimated to be less than 3,000 in the wild.

Pumpkin was a breech baby that required a little help to arrive in the world safe and sound, the zoo reported. Lowry Park’s veterinarian, Dr. Ray Ball, assisted Zsa Zsa in the delivery. The calf proved quite resilient, however, and was able to breathe and sit upright right away.

Lowry Park Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Pygmy Hippo Species Survival Plan, which was created to help support the conservation of these animals that are at risk of extinction.

“With a managed population of just 30 and fewer than 3,000 in the wild, each pygmy hippo birth is vital,” said Dr. Larry Killmar, vice president, animal science and conservation at the zoo. “We are pleased to be able to contribute to the international conservation efforts for this very unique species.”

Pygmy hippos are native to West Africa and are mainly found in Liberia, according to the zoo’s website. They can grow to stand about 2.5 feet at the shoulder and may weigh in at as much as 550 pounds. They have a lifespan of between 30 to 50 years.

While Zsa Zsa and baby live in the in the zoo’s Safari Africa section, they will be on limited display in the exhibit area over the next few days. Later this week, the zoo plans to kick off an online content to provide “Pumpkin” with a more suitable permanent name. The zoo’s animal care team is expected to pick several African names that people can vote on. The winning name will be announced during a Nov. 1 baby shower for the new arrival.

To find out more about visiting the 1101 W. Sligh Ave. zoo, visit its website.

Photo Credit: Baby Pumpkin weighed in at 14.5 pounds. Photo taken by Lowry Park Zoo docent David Parkinson