Overview
- Panya, a male born on November 26 to mother Ayoka, ventured into the outdoor habitat and was shown publicly for the first time on Monday.
- At roughly two weeks old he is learning to swim under close supervision, which staff say is especially strenuous for young pygmy hippos.
- His weight has nearly doubled since birth to about 12 kilograms, according to zoo spokesman Christian Schreiner.
- Sightings are not guaranteed because the calf spends long periods resting in indoor areas, with appearances guided by the animals’ needs.
- Zoo Duisburg reports only two pygmy hippo births in Europe over the past year, and construction is underway on a larger enclosure with multiple bathing areas, plantings and mud wallows.