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Your Toronto Zoo Welcomes Birth of an Endangered Pygmy Hippopotamus — Meet Tung!

TORONTO, ON — Thursday, August 6, 2026

We have some big, little exciting news to share! Your Toronto Zoo is thrilled to announce the birth of a female endangered pygmy hippo calf on Sunday morning, August 2nd — and she now has a name: Tung.

Your Zoo team observed 20-year-old Kindia showing signs around 8:15 a.m. that labour was underway. Tiny feet appeared around 12:15 p.m., and after approximately 1.5 hours of active labour, one final push brought the healthy calf into the world. Tung began attempting to stand within approximately 15 minutes of birth and, within a few hours, was confidently navigating the space. She was seen nursing approximately 4.5 hours after birth, and throughout the night while Zoo professionals monitored her via cameras.

Both mom and calf are doing well and are spending time resting together behind the scenes. This is Kindia's third calf, and she has proven herself to be an attentive mother, carefully protecting her newborn beneath her.

Kindia was introduced to 31-year-old male pygmy hippo Harvey for eight days in January, which resulted in the pregnancy and birth of Tung on Sunday afternoon. This wonderful news comes with both hope and caution. Kindia successfully raised her daughter Penelope in 2018, and calf survival for this species can be challenging. Our team will continue to closely monitor both mom and Tung around the clock during these important first days.

Pygmy hippos are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with approximately 2,000 to 3,000 individuals believed to remain in the wild. Native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, they rely on dense, undisturbed habitats to survive. Unfortunately, these habitats are under threat due to logging, mining, agriculture, and human settlement.

Your Toronto Zoo is proud to participate in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Pygmy Hippo Species Survival Plan® (SSP). Kindia, Harvey, and little Tung play an important role as ambassadors for their species. Every visit is a chance to learn more about pygmy hippos and the challenges they face in the wild.

You can celebrate Kindia and Tung’s exciting news by adopting Kindia today through our dedicated fundraising partner, the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy. Your support helps the Zoo care for animals, offer educational experiences, and protect wildlife through vital conservation programs.