Berlin Zoo's Mini-Hippo Toni Welcomes New Caretaker After Global Job Search

Nikolas Algenstaedt, 21, takes on the highly sought-after role caring for the viral internet sensation and her fellow zoo residents.

Nikolas Algenstaedt, a 21-year-old from Hamburg, has been appointed as the new caretaker for Toni, a six-month-old pygmy hippo at the Berlin Zoo.
The job posting for the position gained international attention, leading to 279 applications, a 33% increase compared to typical openings.
Toni, who has become a social media star with over a million TikTok likes, was born on July 3, 2024, and shares her enclosure with her mother, Debbie.
Algenstaedt’s responsibilities extend beyond Toni to include other large animals like elephants, rhinoceroses, and Nile hippos in the zoo's Dickhäuter (large mammals) section.
Toni is reportedly thriving, enjoying a diet of Erdnüsse (peanuts), fruits, vegetables, and mother’s milk, while her new caretaker emphasizes the need for cautious interaction due to her size and strength.