26-03-2025
Montgomery Zoo announces birth of endangered Pygmy Hippo, Anuket
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce announced the birth of a new animal Monday.
According to the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, Anuket was born on February 9.
Anuket is a female Pygmy Hippopotamus named after the Egyptian goddess of the Nile River. The Montgomery Zoo said Anuket has been spending her first month of life bonding with her mom behind the scenes.
The zoo said the new hippo addition can now be viewed in the Pygmy Hippo nursing suite located near the Capybaras.
Anuket made her public debut on March 14.
'Anuket is full of energy and eager to meet guests. Described as feisty yet full of love, she has already developed a strong personality and a particular fondness for watermelon. Her birth is especially significant as pygmy hippos are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This marks the eighth pygmy hippo birth at the Montgomery Zoo in the past nine years, highlighting the zoo's dedication to conservation efforts,' the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce said.
The Chamber of Commerce said the Montgomery Zoo has a successful history of breeding Pygmy Hippos through the Species Survival Plan.
Previous calves bred at the zoo are: Ronda (2024), Meela (2023), Hadari (2022), Betty Rose and Blanche (2019), Levi (2018) and Monty (2016).
According to the Chamber of Commerce, all seven calves have been placed at other accredited facilities to support the continued growth of this endangered species.
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