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The Toronto Zoo announced the name of its three-week-old female pygmy hippo calf and it’s about as Canadian as it gets.
Given that she’s already been described as “sweet, spirited and sassy,” in her short existence so far, it only makes sense that she would be christened Maple.
Maple was born at the zoo on Aug. 2 , is Canada’s only pygmy hippo calf and is just one of three pygmy hippos in the country — along with her parents, Kindia and Harvey , of course.
The name celebrates not only the country she was born in but the connection she already has with it, thanks to love and support from the zoo’s community.
Not ready for the spotlight just yet
Maple and mom Kindia are still in the bonding phase as the tiny pygmy hippo is still nursing exclusively, so visitors to the Toronto Zoo won’t be able to see the pair just yet.
In just three weeks, Maple has tripled in weight and now weighs 10.8 kg (about 23 pounds) — still tiny but, according to the zoo, has a big personality.
“She is becoming more curious and adventurous by the day and has been exploring the water, practicing her breath holds,” the zoo said in a news release.
For now, the zoo is selling a limited-edition pygmy plush toy with her name embroidered on it in its gift shop and online, with 10% of all proceeds from the keepsake being donated to the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy.
The zoo will announce when Maple will be visible to guests, so stay tuned.