New Los Angeles Hippo HIPPOtizes Visitors
Video by Hillary Jackson
Los Angeles has just produced its own little miracle.
Despite 10-year-old mother Mara being on birth control, a hippopotamus was born this weekend at the Los Angeles Zoo. It is the first time the zoo has had a baby hippo in 26 years, according to the L.A. Times.
The zookeepers have not been able to tell the gender yet, as they do not want to disturb the ever-important bonding period between mother and child.
The mother went into labor on Halloween, and some 50 zoo visitors received the special treat of witnessing the birth of a hippo.
Mara was on birth control but gave zookeepers suspicion when she began to gain weight. They were unable to do a pregnancy test, but kept a close eye on her. Both mother and baby are healthy and resting.
The L.A. Zoo will take donations from the public to name the new resident. The person who donates the most will decide the name of the little hippo.
