Interestingly, this is the first time a baby hippo has been born naturally right in the zoo located in the heart of Hanoi.
According to Nguyen Cong Nghiep, Deputy Director of Hanoi Zoo in Ba Dinh District, the pregnant mother hippo was previously brought to Hanoi as a gift from Dai Nam Wonderland in Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong Province.

"The mother hippopotamus was brought to Hanoi Zoo in December 2023, and after about eight months of care, she gave birth to a male hippopotamus on July 23, 2024," he said.

Despite their physical resemblance to pigs and other terrestrial even-toed ungulates, hippos' closest living relatives are cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises), from which they diverged about 55 million years ago.

It is the third largest land mammal in the world by mass, after elephants and rhinos. Adult male hippos can weigh up to 1,500 kg, while females can weigh up to 1,300 kg.

According to scientists, despite its stocky shape and short legs, it can run at 30 km/h.

The baby hippo born in Hanoi has quickly gained fame through several viral videos on social media. Photo: Huy Pham/The Hanoi Times

Baby boy Hippo was born on July 23, 2024 at Hanoi Zoo.

Mother and baby hippo spend most of the day in the water.

They only come ashore for meals.

The baby hippo is too young to eat solid food, while the mother is fed young rice.

Both mother and baby hippos are well cared for by the zoo staff.

The baby hippo is often shy and keeps its mother close.

The baby hippo looks adorable and a little bit shy.

The adorable baby hippo captivates visitors.

Visitors are thrilled by the baby hippo’s presence, and it’s poised to become the brightest star at Hanoi Zoo.