News Summary
The John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids has initiated a naming contest for its newborn pygmy hippo calf. Public voting is open for three name options: Hugo, Blitz, and Sapo, with contributions benefiting pygmy hippo conservation. The calf, born on September 3, is currently bonding with his mother, Penelope. Viewers can watch the calf’s early life stages through a livestream set up by the zoo. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the critically endangered pygmy hippo species.
Grand Rapids, Michigan – The John Ball Zoo has launched a naming contest for its newborn pygmy hippo calf, adding to the excitement surrounding the birth of this endangered species. The announcement was made on Friday afternoon, inviting the public to choose from three name options: Hugo, Blitz, and Sapo. Voting is now open online and will continue until October 3.
Participants in the naming contest can also enhance their voting power through donations made during the process. The contributions will benefit both the calf and broader conservation efforts for pygmy hippos, which are critically endangered in the wild.
The naming contest follows a recent gender reveal event where the calf’s gender was disclosed to be male. Father Jahari participated in the reveal by breaking open a watermelon filled with blue Jell-O and blueberries, a creative way to celebrate the occasion. The calf was born on September 3, marking Penelope’s first child, and he weighed in at 11 pounds at birth.
Currently, the calf is enjoying quality time with his mother, Penelope, in a behind-the-scenes area of the zoo. To engage the public further, the John Ball Zoo has set up a livestream featuring the baby hippo, allowing visitors and animal lovers to watch the calf’s early life stages from home.
Pygmy hippos are a critically endangered species, with an estimated population of fewer than 2,500 individuals remaining in the wild. The birth of this calf offers hope for the future of the species. The initial American population of pygmy hippos can trace its ancestry back to a pygmy presented to President Calvin Coolidge in 1927. Today, the John Ball Zoo is one of 120 institutions worldwide, and 22 in North America, managing pygmy hippos as part of a Species Survival Plan organized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Native to West Africa, pygmy hippos typically weigh between 7.5 and 14 pounds at birth and can grow to reach a mature weight of anywhere from 350 to 600 pounds. Unlike their larger relatives, pygmy hippos are generally solitary creatures but may occasionally form small family groups. Their diet primarily consists of plants, and they are noted for being nocturnal animals.
The participation in the naming contest not only creates excitement but also raises awareness for the conservation of pygmy hippos, ensuring that more individuals engage with and support this rare species. Results of the naming contest will be eagerly anticipated, as the zoo hopes to promote further education about pygmy hippos and the importance of wildlife conservation.
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HERE Resources
Pygmy Hippo Calf Born at John Ball Zoo
Additional Resources
- WZZM13: John Ball Zoo Announces Naming Contest for Pygmy Hippo
- Free Press: Baby Pygmy Hippo Born at John Ball Zoo
- Fox17: John Ball Zoo Celebrates Pygmy Hippo Calf Gender Reveal
- MSN: It’s a Boy! Michigan Zoo Holds Gender Reveal
- WoodTV: Penelope the Pygmy Hippo is Pregnant
- Wikipedia: Pygmy Hippopotamus
- Google Search: Pygmy Hippo Conservation
- Google Scholar: Pygmy Hippo Endangered
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pygmy Hippopotamus
- Google News: Pygmy Hippo
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
