Animal Kingdom Welcomes Baby Hippo to the Bloat
Earlier today, Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment took to Facebook to share some exciting news. Tuma, a Nile hippo, delivered her new calf this morning, and it already posed for its first photo. In 2018, Tuma gave birth to the first calf at the park in 13 years.
Image Credit: Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment
“Our animal care experts are giving the calf plenty of room to bond and nurse with mom, so check back for more updates (and those adorable baby photos) in the coming days,” the team said in the post.
It has been quite an exciting week for Henry, the father of the newborn. He celebrated his birthday just four days ago with a scrumptious “cake’ of watermelon, green beans, carrots, acorn squash and sweet potato.
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The birth is not the first for Disney’s Animal Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort lately. Just last month, a male baby giraffe joined the rest of the Masa giraffes on the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. The giraffes star during the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction.
In May, the park’s Animal Care teams welcomed the birth of a Hartmann’s mountain zebra foal. The zebra actual joined the world in the middle of the safari during operating hours
Animals born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom participate in the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan. In coordination with zoos nationwide, the breeding efforts of these species ensure not only repsonsible breeding but also proliferation of threatened and endangered species.
Like all of the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we are sure that more details about the hippo calf will emerge over the next few days. We will certainly keep our eyes out for more news on how Tuma and the calf adjust to life together.
