Toni, the pygmy hippo born at the Berlin Zoo just over a year ago, is moving to a French zoo. The move to the zoo in the Alsatian city of Mulhouse is being made following a recommendation from the European Endangered Species Programme, the Berlin Zoo announced on Wednesday.
A farewell week is therefore planned for the hippo in Berlin from August 18 to 25. The zoo announced that there will be "Toni Time" in the indoor enclosure of Hippo Bay every day from 1:30 p.m. Depending on Toni's mood, she will be showered with a refreshing jet of water or fed peanuts. Fans can then take a farewell photo.
The pygmy hippopotamus, born on June 3, 2024, quickly became a social media star. It brought Berlin Zoo a huge increase in Instagram followers, from 125,000 to around 254,000, according to reports. Toni's videos were viewed by millions.
Toni has a very special way of touching people, explained Zoo and Animal Park Director Andreas Knieriem. "This is precisely what is crucial for advancing the protection of endangered animals and raising awareness of species conservation." He is optimistic that Toni will continue her mission in France.
The zoo says the hippo has been preparing for the upcoming move for several weeks with daily "crate training." Toni also already spends her afternoons separated from her mother. At around one year of age, it's common for solitary pygmy hippos to find a new habitat. Pygmy hippos are among the most endangered species. Their natural habitat is West Africa, but according to the Berlin Zoo, fewer than 2,500 remain in the wild there.
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