What to know
- Toronto Zoo’s three-week-old female pygmy hippo calf has officially been named Maple, revealed on Aug. 21 when her mother, Kindia, pulled away leaves covering the name.
- Maple was born Aug. 2 to 13-year-old Kindia and 31-year-old Harvey. The family represents Canada’s entire pygmy hippo population, with the species endangered and an estimated 2,000–3,000 left in the wild.
- The zoo participates in a conservation breeding program to help protect the species.
- Maple has already become an online sensation, with many comparing her to viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng. While fans largely welcomed the name, some social media users preferred her temporary nickname, “Tiny Tank.”
- Maple and Kindia are currently off display while they bond privately, with the zoo expected to announce when they’ll return to public view.
Toronto’s newest celebrity’s name was finally revealed, and you won’t be-leaf how they did it.
The Toronto Zoo has a new female pygmy hippo calf, who just turned three weeks old.
In an announcement video on Friday, Aug. 21, the zoo shared the calf’s name with the help of her mother, Kindia, who removed massive leaves off the enclosure wall to reveal the baby’s name painted underneath: Maple.
“Like the maple leaf itself, Maple represents something uniquely Canadian: beloved, resilient and shared by us all,” the zoo shared in its announcement.
The calf was born on Aug. 2 to her 13-year-old mother, and 31-year-old father, Harvey. The family makes up the entire population of pygmy hippos in Canada, at just 3.
Pygmy hippos are classified as endangered, with around 2,000 to 3,000 believed to be left in the wild. The species is typically native to forests and swamps in West Africa.
The Toronto Zoo follows the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Pygmy Hippo Species Survival Plan, a multi-zoo framework that coordinates breeding among other zoos, in order to help maintain the pygmy hippo population.
Online reaction
Maple, the pygmy hippo, has already attracted a lot of attention online. Many have compared the calf to the viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng from Thailand.
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With baby hippo’s name reveal, fans from all over social media poured in to welcome the calf.
“Hello Maple, welcome to Toronto!” one Instagram user wrote.
Torontonians shared their love for the name and Maple herself.
“Love the name. She seems to love it too!” one Instagram user wrote.
“Maple is my doggo’s name! I love it 🥰,” another Instagram user said.
“Great choice, Mom!!!! 🍁. Adorable,” another person wrote.
‘Maple [is] such a cute name,” one user on X said.
Before her official name was announced, some social media users suggested “Tiny Tank” as a possible name.
When the new name was revealed, many were happy with the outcome, while some wished it remained as its placeholder.
“Tinytank was a better name,” one X user wrote.
“It’s such a shame, because Tinytank is such a unique name for this little hippo. Thanks to Tinytank, Toronto Zoo has gained worldwide attention,” another X user said.
For now, visitors will have to wait to see Maple in person, as the Toronto Zoo said Maple and her mother, Kindia, are not viewable to guests as they focus on bonding in private.
The zoo says it will update Torontonians when the duo will be out in the open again.
