Marwell Zoo breeds a pygmy hippo

Mum and baby pygmy hippopotamus born at Marwell Zoo Mum and baby pygmy hippopotamus born at Marwell Zoo

A rare pygmy hippopotamus has been born at a Hampshire zoo, it confirmed today.

Now Marwell Zoo is inviting visitors to vote for a name for the new arrival, which was born as part of a European conservation breeding programme.

The female hippo was born weighing 9lb (4kg) to parents Wendy and Antone on November 13.

A spokesman for the zoo said: ''She has formed a strong bond with her mum and they spend many hours swimming together in their pool.''

The shortlisted names for the hippo are all places in west Africa which is the native home for the pygmy hippo. The names are Loko, Kadina, Zimmi and Lola.

The World Conservation Union estimates that there are fewer than 3,000 pygmy hippos remaining in the wild.

The nocturnal forest creature has found its native habitat under threat as forests are logged and converted to farm land.

Comments(6)

Finlay says...
2:54pm Mon 8 Dec 08

Ok! I'll be first here to say

Aaaaaaaaaah

Looks like it'll cook up well on the bar-b tho'

Iain says...
4:25pm Mon 8 Dec 08

It's a seal, isn't it?

Denzil' says...
5:28pm Mon 8 Dec 08

I think it should be called Georgem because it's lazy and can't fend for itself.

emdee says...
5:50pm Mon 8 Dec 08

did they call it 'Ant' or 'Dec'?

allotment lover says...
7:27pm Mon 8 Dec 08

All of us at tesco dot com burlesdon sponsored wendy this year,in memory of our dear work mate,eddie who died early this year.
its great to see we've had a small part in helping wendy and all at marwell zoo,shame it wasnt a boy could of called it eddie.
R,i,p our friend eddie.

Reality-man says...
9:08pm Mon 8 Dec 08

Are they sure it's a baby pygmy? Looks like a turd to me

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