Over the weekend, Disney announced the birth of a baby Nile hippopotamus, the first hippo born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 13 years.
The calf was born at around 10 p.m. on Saturday night. The calf’s gender and weight may not be known for some time as the animal care team is giving Mom (Tuma) and Baby plenty of room to bond. A newborn hippo calf typically weighs between 60 and 110 pounds.
Tuma and her partner Henry were chosen to breed through the Species Survival Plan (SSP); overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “The Nile hippopotamus is a vulnerable species with a declining population. This birth is an important contribution to the worldwide conservation and understanding of these amazing creatures.”
Guests may see Tuma and her calf while riding Kilimanjaro Safaris and also during the Wild Africa Trek experience. To learn more about hippos, visit DisneyAnimals.com.
Take a sneak peek at Tuma and her calf in this video shared by the Disney Parks Blog just a few days after the birth!
Source: Disney Parks Blog
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