Meet Hugo: Michigan’s newest baby pygmy hippo

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Michigan’s latest baby pygmy hippo calf officially has a name.

John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids announced its month-old baby is officially named Hugo.

The name was chosen by a public contest.

Hippo parents Penelope and Jahari welcomed the 11-pound baby on Sept. 3. It is the first pygmy hippo born at the West Michigan zoo.

The zoo said Hugo means smart and spirited, “just like we expect him to be.”

According to the John Ball Zoo, pygmy hippos are an endangered species, with fewer than 2,500 estimated to be in the wild.

You can watch the John Ball Zoo’s live baby pygmy hippo cam here.