Taronga Zoo is celebrating the first pygmy hippopotamus birth in 23 years. This new addition has been called Monifa which means “I am lucky” in Nigerian.

Pygmy Hippopotamus calf Monifa is just three weeks old and at birth weighed in at 3.8 kg.   I got my first glimpse of cute Monifa on the news last night as she frolicked in the water… now tipping the scaled at 6.7kg.

Monifa is being hand-raised as her mum Petra had birth complications.  As a mum myself I know how demanding a new child can be…..but these dedicated carers are taking turns doing 24 hour shifts.

There is only one other breeding pair in the Australasian region and Pygmy hippos are extremely endangered with only about 3000 in the world…. so you can see why the staff at Taronga Zoo are so excited about the arrival of this cute addition…. Pygmy Hippopotamus calf Monifa.

Taronga Zoo are yet to update their site with pictures of Monifa….. but it’s your lucky day as our local newspaper Manly Daily has some great photos to share with you of the new Pygmy Hippopotamus calf Monifa.
Talking of cute…..
Have you seen the new Elmo Live or the Furreal Friends My Lovin Pup that are in hot demand for xmas this year?