Pygmy hippo calf born at John Ball Zoo in Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — It’s here! The John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan, says Penelope, a pygmy hippo, birthed a calf on Wednesday.

The unnamed baby weighs 11 pounds and is the first pygmy hippo calf born at the zoo.

“Pygmy hippos are an endangered species with fewer than 2,500 estimated in the wild, so each birth is a vital step for conservation,” the zoo said in a social media post. “Our animal care team is keeping a close eye on mom and baby as they bond behind the scenes, and both are doing well.”

Both Penelope and the father, Jahari, are relatively new additions to the zoo. The pygmy hippo opened in June 2023 with Jahari. Penelope joined months later after being moved from a zoo in Toronto.

The zoo announced the pregnancy in early July. The gestation period typically t