A 16 year-old world traveler has taken up residence at the Louisville Zoo. If you've visited recently you may have already seen her. Hope, a 600 pound pygmy hippopotamus has taken her place in the habitat in the Gorilla Forest. She joins 17 year-old Maji Kitoto, the Zoo's male pygmy hippo. Hope comes with a breeding recommendation from the Species Survival Plan. A formal timeline for a baby hippo has not been set.
Steven Wing, General Animal Curator, says Hope "is an extremely good-natured hippo and likes to have her back scratched." She will be on exhibit alternating with Maji. Hope came to Louisville from the Oklahoma City Zoo, but was born at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland.
The zoo hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., exit by 6 p.m. During June & July they have extended hours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10a.m . - 7 p.m., exit by 8 p.m. (Except June 11th, the zoo closes at 2 p.m. for an event.) Visit www.louisvillezoo.org [4] for upcoming events, classes and camp information.
Photo source: Louisville Zoo