Berlin Zoo's approximately one-month-old female pygmy hippo calf has been given the name Brötchen. The zoo made the announcement on Wednesday, coinciding with the young animal's first official outing into the outdoor section of the Hippo-Bay enclosure.
"Naming animals after food seems to be a popular internet trend right now," said zoo director Andreas Knieriem. "Strictly speaking, however, Berliners have known for decades that small, round snacks make excellent animal names: hippo Bulette was one of the great fan favourites at Berlin Zoo until 2005."
Brötchen was born on 9 May to her mother Debbie and already weighs more than 20 kilograms. According to the zoo, she has been exploring the outdoor enclosure noticeably earlier than her well-known older sister Toni, and is already growing accustomed to the water. Toni did not venture outside until she was two and a half months old.
TV presenter Enie van de Meiklokjes took on honorary patronage for Brötchen on Wednesday. She said she was delighted to support the zoo in its work to protect endangered species.
First documented only in 1849, pygmy hippos are now extremely rare. Fewer than 2,500 mature animals remain in the forests of West Africa, and in some regions the species is already considered locally extinct. The primary drivers of their decline are forest clearance for mining and agricultural use.
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