Mama hippo was expecting, but LA Zoo staff wasn't...

Deb1010again · ‎05-28-2013

Mara the hippo gave birth to a calf at the Los Angeles Zoo on Friday.

(CNN) -- Mara had been putting on weight lately, so those around her thought something was up. But she was on birth control, so if there was to be a baby, that would be a bit of a surprise.

Well, SURPRISE!

Mara the hippopotamus is now the proud and doting mother of a healthy calf.

The newborn hippo gets used to the water at the Los Angeles Zoo.

The baby doesn't have a name yet. The staff at the Los Angeles Zoo hasn't been able to get close enough to determine the gender of the newborn.

According to a release from the zoo, Mara went into labor Friday while in her outdoor pool but chose to gave birth on dry land. Animal care staff was close by but all went well.

New species of frog found in... NYC

Mom, child and father, known as Adhama, can be viewed by zoo visitors each day.

This is the first baby hippo at the zoo in 26 years. The staff had guessed that Mara was pregnant but only had limited testing options.

Mara, 10, came to Los Angeles from Topeka, Kansas, in December and instantly bonded with Adhama, who is 3 years old, zoo officials said.

cody2 · ‎03-19-2010

Ok now, that baby is adorable. ${#emotions_dlg.wub}$

adelle38 · ‎03-09-2010

I love it!

"This is the first baby hippo at the zoo in 26 years. The staff had guessed that Mara was pregnant but only had limited testing options."

It's always a victory for me when I remember why I entered a room.

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

Hippo Birth control - ohhh my

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

deepwaterdotter · ‎03-09-2010

Does this make Mara a 'cougar' hippo?

feline groovy · ‎07-29-2014

AWWWWW!!!!!!!!! Sweet baby! ${#emotions_dlg.wub}$ Congrats to Mama, etc.! ${#emotions_dlg.thumbup}$

Deb1010again · ‎05-28-2013

On 11/4/2014 deepwaterdotter said:
Does this make Mara a 'cougar' hippo?

LOL!! I caught that too. She was over 3 times older than him. It's like Kris Jenner (58) and her new beau (33) -- well, sort of... LOL

sylviahomeatlast · ‎03-11-2010

What a cute baby. But aren't they all?

Topaz Gem · ‎03-10-2010

That goes to show that you can't always depend on contraceptives, LOL! The baby is precious...

"Summer afternoon-summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." ~Henry James

WaJa61 · ‎09-10-2012

On 11/4/2014 Deb1010again said:
On 11/4/2014 deepwaterdotter said:
Does this make Mara a 'cougar' hippo?

LOL!! I caught that too. She was over 3 times older than him. It's like Kris Jenner (58) and her new beau (33) -- well, sort of... LOL

${#emotions_dlg.lol}$