Pictured: The baby pygmy hippo that brings new hope for the endangered species



They are usually thought of as large, lumbering – even intimidating – creatures.

But Monifa – the three-week-old pygmy hippo – will win over the even the greatest hippophobes.

Conservationists are excited about the arrival, which is the first birth of a pygmy hippo at Taronga zoo in Sydney, Australia, in 23 years.

Monifa - meaning 'I am lucky' - is the first pygmy hippo to be born at Taronga Zoo in Syndey, Australia, in 23 years

The highly endangered animals, which come from the tropical forests of western Africa, grow to just a fifth of the size of their better known cousins.

It is estimated there are fewer than 3000 left in the wild.

Important: Monifa's zookeeper said that pygmy hippos are under threat in the wild due to wars, deforestation and pollution

Senior zookeeper Renae Zammit told ABC news that the birth of Monifa is extremely important.

‘Their population is declining all the time with wars, deforestation and pollution,’ she said.

‘Every hippo that's born in a zoo is helping to support the declining wild population.’

Ms. Zammit said Monifa had a difficult first few weeks of life.



Struggle: Zookeepers have cared for Monifa for her first three weeks of life after a difficult breech birth

Endangered: It is estimated there are less than 3,000 pygmy hippos left in their natural habitat, the tropical forests of West Africa

‘She should have been up and running within the first hour of her life but she was actually quite weak and couldn't stand up so we had to step in and help her and supply food,' said Ms. Zammit.



‘We would obviously have wanted her mother to raise her, but she definitely would have died if we didn't step in.’



Pygmy hippos are reclusive and nocturnal. Along with their much larger cousins, the common hippopotamuses, they are the only hippo species in the world.



Pygmy hippos are semi-aquatic and need to live near water to keep their skin moisturised and their body cool.



They sometimes even mate and give birth in water.



Pygmy hippos are plant-eating mammals, feeding on ferns, broad-leaved plants, grasses and fruits they find in the forest.



View video footage of Monifa, the baby pygmy hippo, here...







