Hear ye, hear ye, another pygmy hippo baby has joined the planet’s population and we are better for it

Friends, I hope you’re picturing the absolute town-crier vibe of this announcement. This Monday we are collectively gifted by news of a new pygmy hippo calf, courtesy of FuzzyBunny sharing in The Queue. Let’s talk about the newest arrival to the pygmy hippo world here on Hippo Watch.

Hugo was born on September 3 at the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with the care team closely monitoring mom and baby behind the scenes during this early bonding phase. His birth is a triple threat of special — this a first-time birth for parents Penelope and Jahari, he is the first pygmy hippo calf born at the zoo, and Hugo is a boy (a rarity among pygmy hippo zoo births). John Ball added pygmy hippos to their conservation roster in 2023 with Jahari as their first exhibit resident.

The zoo first announced the baby’s anticipated arrival in a news post last month. Their details provide an incredible glimpse behind the scenes of veterinary care for expecting zoo animals  In it, they discuss Penelope and Jahari’s roles in the pygmy hippo Species Survival Plan (SSP) administered by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) — only 22 zoo institutions in North America have pygmy hippos in their care.

Pygmy hippos are an Endangered species the IUCN‘s Red list that live primarily in pairs (instead of in a herd like their larger Nile-dwelling cousins), with an estimated global population of roughly 2000-2500 adults in the wild. The species is native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily in Liberia and Cote D’Ivoire. Humanity remains their biggest enemy, with habitat destruction and hunting being primary threats.

The zoo celebrated the little one’s arrival further with a gender reveal event (both in-person and on Facebook Live) on Thursday, September 11. Don’t worry, it’s the “proud dad Jahari” helping to share the details while Penelope continues the critical bonding phase. Additionally, you can follow the John Ball Zoo’s social accounts for more glimpses of the sweet little one: Facebook, Instagram.

Originally published September 8, 2025; updated November 3, 2025.