Meet Hugo: Michigan’s newest baby pygmy hippo First-parents Penelope and Jahari welcomed baby on Sept. 3, 2025
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 .
Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.
About the Authors 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.
Dane Kelly headshot Dane Kelly is an Oreo enthusiast and producer who has spent the last seven years covering Michigan news and stories.
The most important call you’ll make on game day The most important call you’ll make on game day Michigan football DB Rod Moore talks "Stupid penalties" in Iowa loss Michigan football DB Rod Moore talks "Stupid penalties" in Iowa loss Officials balance cleanup, compassion at homeless encampment Officials balance cleanup, compassion at homeless encampment Celebrities rally for Detroit youth arts Celebrities rally for Detroit youth arts Community helps Detroit family displaced by tornado Community helps Detroit family displaced by tornado Overnight police chase in Macomb County caught on camera Overnight police chase in Macomb County caught on camera Curtain Bangs-Gate Curtain Bangs-Gate Why fall allergies hit hard Why fall allergies hit hard Homeless encampment behind Kroger raises questions about support Homeless encampment behind Kroger raises questions about support Jury awards nearly $900M to family of child injured in crash Jury awards nearly $900M to family of child injured in crash Kim can't stop laughing about Tati's fake bangs getting stuck on her head Kim can't stop laughing about Tati's fake bangs getting stuck on her head Detroit home hit hard by tornado Detroit home hit hard by tornado "Callie Calls It" - Week 3 "Callie Calls It" - Week 3 Flock cameras covered after residents voice privacy concerns Flock cameras covered after residents voice privacy concerns Detroit tightens tax break process with criminal, civil background checks Detroit tightens tax break process with criminal, civil background checks Gibbs, Goff discuss Detroit Lions’ mindset after 1-1 start Gibbs, Goff discuss Detroit Lions’ mindset after 1-1 start Woman’s car stolen with father’s ashes inside Woman’s car stolen with father’s ashes inside Storage unit mold leaves renters with thousands in lost belongings Storage unit mold leaves renters with thousands in lost belongings Why Chelsea is ready to be more honest with people after cancer battle Why Chelsea is ready to be more honest with people after cancer battle Learning more about the man who killed a woman in downtown Detroit Learning more about the man who killed a woman in downtown Detroit Previous video Next video
