Cute Baby Hippo Splashes Around Days After Birth

Story By: Kathryn Quinn, Sub EditorJoseph GolderAgency: Central European News

Video Credit: CEN/Zoo Karlsruhe

This cute baby hippo can be seen splashing around in the water with its mother just days after birth.

Born on 31st October to mum Kathy, the youngster was aptly named Halloween. The animal’s sex is still not known.

The animal was born at Karlsruhe Zoo, located in the city of Karlsruhe in the federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany after mum Kathy’s eight-month pregnancy.

Picture Credit: CEN/Zoo Karlsruhe

Zoo spokesman Timo Deible said: “We won’t find out the sex until the young hippo reveals itself to us.

“As is normal with hippos, mum Kathy will not let anyone near her newborn.”

He added: “The young Hippo is drinking well. The first days are always critical as you never know whether they will settle for the mother’s milk.”

Picture Credit: CEN/Zoo Karlsruhe

Zoo Director Dr Matthias Reinschmidt said: “We are delighted that the breading of the hippo was successful and that the hippo has shown good signs of development over the first few days.”

Hippo carer Robert Scholz added: “Halloween is drinking well from Kathy, she is an experienced mother and is doing everything right. When it is time to drink Kathy lays down on her side in shallow water, the youngster then drinks from her under water and comes up for air in between.”

Many young hippos die shortly after birth. Earlier this year a baby hippo died at Karlsruhe Zoo just two days after being born after not drinking enough.

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