Hippo hooray: Michigan zoo welcomes its tiniest big arrival First-parents Penelope and Jahari welcomed baby on Sept. 3, 2025
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A Michigan zoo has announced the birth of its pygmy hippo calf.
John Ball Zoo announced on Facebook that first-time parents Penelope and Jahari welcomed their 11-pound baby on Sept. 3.
This is the first pygmy hippo born at the West Michigan zoo.
The name of the newborn has not yet been announced.
According to the John Ball Zoo, pygmy hippos are an endangered species, with fewer than 2,500 estimated to be in the wild.
“Our animal care team is keeping a close eye on mom and baby as they bond behind the scenes, and both are doing well,” the zoo said on Facebook Thursday.
Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.
About the Author Samantha Sayles headshot
Samantha Sayles is an Oakland University alumna who’s been writing Michigan news since 2022. Before joining the ClickOnDetroit team, she wrote stories for WILX in Lansing and WEYI in Flint.
Pontiac hit-and-run: Nearly a year later, no arrest ▶ 1:02
Pontiac hit-and-run: Nearly a year later, no arrest
The First 100 Days ▶ 0:34
The First 100 Days
Detroit reality star’s husband faces wire fraud charges ▶ 0:29
Detroit reality star’s husband faces wire fraud charges
Hockey Moms Celly-brate with Seasoning Salts ▶ 1:24
Hockey Moms Celly-brate with Seasoning Salts
Jeezy talks about his upcoming Vegas residency ▶ 0:58
Jeezy talks about his upcoming Vegas residency
Did you know this about Michigan Humane? ▶ 0:48
Did you know this about Michigan Humane?
Higher fertilizer costs now, higher grocery bills later ▶ 0:29
Higher fertilizer costs now, higher grocery bills later
Winter drains MDOT budget: What’s next for roads? ▶ 1:09
Winter drains MDOT budget: What’s next for roads?
312 Detroit neighborhoods up for speed humps ▶ 0:36
312 Detroit neighborhoods up for speed humps
7th measles case confirmed in Washtenaw County outbreak ▶ 0:39
7th measles case confirmed in Washtenaw County outbreak
'Local 4, what were you like in the '90s?' ▶ 0:36
'Local 4, what were you like in the '90s?'
How the Zipper Merge Helps Reduce Traffic ▶ 1:01
How the Zipper Merge Helps Reduce Traffic
Metro Detroit sees possible hail, tornados ▶ 1:31
Metro Detroit sees possible hail, tornados
Detroit family asks driver in fatal hit-and-run to come forward ▶ 1:43
Detroit family asks driver in fatal hit-and-run to come forward
Missing Detroit girl kidnapped, held for days at man’s home, prosecutors say ▶ 0:36
Missing Detroit girl kidnapped, held for days at man’s home, prosecutors say
Melissa Etheridge on 'Live In The D' ▶ 1:20
Melissa Etheridge on 'Live In The D'
Pistons' Duncan Robinson signs autographs for SAY Detroit youth ▶ 0:11
Pistons' Duncan Robinson signs autographs for SAY Detroit youth
How to drive in a roundabout ▶ 0:40
How to drive in a roundabout
DHS sued over plan to house 500 detainees in Romulus warehouse ▶ 0:47
DHS sued over plan to house 500 detainees in Romulus warehouse
New US travel alert: Are Detroiters rethinking trips? ▶ 0:43
New US travel alert: Are Detroiters rethinking trips?
LITD Airport Sleep Pods ▶ 1:12
LITD Airport Sleep Pods
LITD Coffee Cup Test ▶ 2:32
LITD Coffee Cup Test
Fireball spotted over Michigan Monday night ▶ 0:46
Fireball spotted over Michigan Monday night
Have you ever used A.I. to grocery shop? ▶ 0:51
Have you ever used A.I. to grocery shop?
Detroit 6-year-old loses arm in vicious animal attack ▶ 0:54
Detroit 6-year-old loses arm in vicious animal attack
Previous photo Next photo