Friday, September 30, 2022

Meet The SFZoo's New Pygmy Hippo!

This post is going a bit out of order, as it was supposed to be a part two.  The first part was started in September last year (2021) just after Tucker left for Cincinnati Zoo.  It's been almost done for months. 

The last seven months have been a devastating time for me.  I have struggled through them best I can, barely holding on a majority of the time.  I've managed to write some posts, that have noted this tough time.   One week ago, my emotional state changed drastically, and is now in a beautiful place.

The past week has been busy and full.  Exhausting at times, but the best exhaustion.  I've been feeling like I might have to energy to bat out the few posts I have left, and wrap up past issues I've needed to document.  Had planned the two parts this weekend, but in light of the Zoo's announcement today, I'm fast tracking this one.  You know me, I like a good scoop!  And while I didn't get this done a month and a half ago when I first identified the young male who was transferring here, this is still a scoop!

I have been excited for the new arrival since first hearing about this acquisition, just after Tucker (Hippo) left.  The lead-in to my part one post, was noting that I think the Zoo really missed an opportunity to create excitement within the Zoo going public (aka community), at a time when so many were bummed about Tucker's departure.  A real head-shaker, that didn't happen.  No matter how long (thirteen years) and how much I've written about the importance of creating a community, the Zoo just doesn't seem to get it, or they just don't care.

Today, the new installment of the Zoo's email newsletter came, not only do they FINALLY mention the acquisition of a Pygmy Hippo, but that he is here and out!  I knew it was happening soon, just not when.  


So, who is our new Hippo?  You know I got the details, and that is the purpose of this post, at this time.  The Zoo failed to mention where he came from, or his name.  In my opinion so people can't learn more about him, specifically his name, which will unfortunately, most likely be changed. 

According to my research, our new male Pygmy Hippo is named Akobi!  He was born at San Diego Zoo, April 9, 2020 to first-time Mama Mabel.  His name means "firstborn", in the native language of West Africa, where Pygmy Hippos live.

Photo from a Twitter user of Akobi and his Mama Mabel.  

Link to video of Akobi's first Birthday from San Diego Zoo Facebook, followed by a screencap from video.

https://tinyurl.com/2v5dcdmn


His arrival is very exciting!  It brings life back to the area of the Zoo that has been empty for too long.  I do wish I didn't have enclosure woes (which will be covered in my pt one), and hope this little guy will be happy here.  I remember our previous Pygmy Hippos, years ago, and look forward to meeting this cutie soon!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 


2 comments:

  1. Welcome back. Indeed we are all experiencing total strange crap going down, making everything challenging to CV continue and carry on. Dear Lady don't give up. Make time to decompress and relax. You have nothing to be ashamed for. Your devotion to those whom don't have a voice truly noble and appreciated. You have accomplished a lot because of your devotion. Do not be sad, rather
    focus on being grounded in your rich compassion for species other than our own.

    ReplyDelete
  2. @Junglejim. ... Thank you for circling back to resubmit your comment and for the kind words on my empathetic mission for the voiceless. ... Though NEVER ashamed, I would like to have had the energy to be more timely in my goals. ... Sadness has quickly turned around. While there is eternal sadness in loss, a new life does dilute the extreme feelings of that grief. .... Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete

*Thank you for your comment. All comments are appreciated and I try my best to reply back in a timely manner. Sometimes timely isn't possible, but I will reply to all comments at some point. Please check back.
*If you have a problem commenting, don't see your comment (within 24 hours), or want to contact me for any other reason, please use the about.me link on the sidebar.
*You can be a Voice for the SFZoo Animals by Contacting the San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson at tanyap@sfzoo.org
*Thank You for taking the time to read about things that matter to me.