Bidin' Farewell to Toni: Berlin's Beloved Mini-Hippo Turns a Year Old, Leaves us Sore
One-Year-Old Toni the Hippopotamus Celebrates Special Day - Toni the Mini-Hippo Celebrates First Birthday and Readies for Departure from Berlin Zoo
Prepare yourself for a bite of sorrow, folks, 'cause our favorite little inmate from the Berlin Zoo, Toni the mini-hippo, has hit another milestone - a birthday! She savored a hefty pile of peanuts and a "1"-shaped fruit ice cream accompanied by mother Debbie, who also couldn't resist the tasty tidbits. A carrot cake floated elegantly on the water for Toni's delight. But the joyous occasion brings a whiff of melancholy: This will be Toni's final birthday at the Berlin Zoo.
"Toni's likely to bid us a fond farewell later this year and set sail for another zoo," said Florian Sicks, the resident mammal keeper and biologist. This departure is all part of the European breeding program. Just like in the wild, pygmy hippos leave their mothers at around 10-11 months. So, if you're keen on giving Toni one last, heart-wrenching hurrah, summer would be the perfect season.
Weighing a meager 3.5 kg at birth, Toni has bulked up to an impressive 100 kg. Lucas Baum, one of the zookeepers, reports that Toni's "doing swell, gobbling up grub, and living her life to the fullest."
A dedicated horde of fans follows Toni's adventures on social media, as per Svenja Eisenbarth, a spokesperson for the zoo. Every video, photo, or visit to the zoo brings a wave of happiness to numerous admirers.
Toni's first video on TikTok has garnered a staggering 13.4 million views. She's joined by a group of fellow pygmy hippo girls, forming an online girl gang that includes Moo Deng from Thailand, Poppy from the USA, and Haggis from Scotland. Moo Deng has already extended her birthday wishes, with a heartwarming video call.
- Berlin Zoo
- Birthday
- Pygmy Hippo
- Mother
- Peanut
- Berlin
The community of Berlin Zoo fans will likely be heartbroken when Toni, the beloved pygmy hippo, embarks on her next adventure later this year, as part of the European breeding program. Toni, growing up healthily at home-and-garden, has sparked joy among her followers on social media with her videos and photos, reminding us that even small creatures can make a significant impact on our lifestyle.
