Reviewed by: Liv George
New endangered pygmy hippo calf introduced at Montgomery Zoo
There’s another new pygmy hippopotamus roaming the grounds of the Montgomery Zoo.
Ronda was born in February and after a few months living in the Pygmy Hippo Habitat, she officially moved into the nursing suite with her mother on July 22.
Keep reading to find out more about Ronda + see why the birth of another Pygmy Hippo is so important for the species.
Meet Ronda
The zoo said Ronda was born on February 11, 2024 to her mother Asali. The two were living in the Pygmy Hippo Habitat next to the Skylift before being move to the nursing suite in the South American Realm last week.
While pygmy hippos are classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Ronda is the seventh pygmy hippo born in Montgomery in the last eight years. The others include:
The other calves have since been placed at other zoos to further a breeding program created by the Species Survival Plan. It’s unclear if or when Ronda will be sent to another zoo.
The Montgomery Zoo has other adult pygmy hippos that can be seen in a permanent exhibit in the African area of the zoo.
Pygmy hippopotamus
The pygmy hippopotamus is a cousin to the common hippo and is described as a large mammal native to the forests and swamps of western Africa.
Because it is often reclusive and nocturnal, it is a difficult animal to study in the wild. However, pygmy hippos have a history of breeding well in captivity.
The IUCN estimates that less than 3,000 pygmy hippos remain in the wild.
Montgomery Zoo
The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum is a 42-acre zoological facility located minutes from the heart of historic, downtown Montgomery. The Montgomery Zoo is also home to the Mann Wildlife Learning Museum.
- Hours: 9AM-5PM, every day
- Tickets: General – $18 | Children 3-12 years – $14 | Toddlers 2 and under – free | Seniors 65 and older – $16
Have you seen a pygmy hippo at the Montgomery Zoo? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.
