One of John Ball Zoo’s newest residents, Hugo the pygmy hippo calf, made his

public debut to John Ball Zoo members Monday, October 27.

His first week out in the public eye will be a members-only preview, in an effort to

keep foot traffic light and give mom and baby time to adjust to their new

Surroundings. 

 

Annual memberships for the John Ball Zoo are available starting at just $85. You

can purchase memberships online, at the front entrance ticket windows, or at a

booth near the pygmy hippo pavilion.

 

Hugo and his mom Penelope will be in their habitat daily beginning Monday,

October 28, from 10:30 a.m. until close. John Ball Zoo will close early at 3:00

p.m. on Tuesday, October 28.

 

So long as everything continues to go well with the pair during this first week, all

other visitors will be able to see Hugo up close beginning Saturday, November 1.

 

We cannot guarantee that Hugo and Penelope will be visible when you

come to the zoo. Animal care teams are letting mom and calf choose where

they want to be. It is normal for the pair to be sleeping during the day.

 

As they adjust to their new surroundings, their time in front of guests is expected

to increase.

 

Please be patient if you plan on visiting, as John Ball Zoo expects increased foot

traffic near the pygmy hippo pavilion.

 

Born September 3 to first-time parents Penelope and Jahari, Hugo arrived

weighing just 11 pounds. He is the first pygmy hippo ever born at John Ball Zoo.

In recent weeks, he’s spent time behind the scenes bonding with mom and

learning essential hippo skills, like how to swim and hold his breath underwater.

 

Animal care teams have made careful adjustments, including specialized

platforms, to help Hugo safely navigate the water in their habitat.

 

With fewer than 3,000 pygmy hippos remaining in the wild, Hugo’s birth

represents a significant conservation milestone. He was born through the

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), which the

AZA describes as “a cooperative population management and conservation

program for selected species within AZA-accredited institutions.”