Defending Diversity: ¡Hala Toni!

It's finally out: the little hippo girl at Zoo Berlin has been named Toni. Zoo Berlin has received more than 20,000 name suggestions for the little pygmy hippo in recent weeks. Among them was the name Toni - inspired by the centre-back of the German national team, Antonio Rüdiger. Following a request from the zoo, he has now taken on the honorary sponsorship of the young talent.

"At first, I was actually leaning towards classic Berlin names like Knöllchen or Boulettchen," admits Zoo and Tierpark Director Dr Andreas Knieriem. "Then it quickly became clear from the names submitted and their enormous fan base on social media that our mini hippo was becoming a real global star. We are simply overwhelmed by the response and her daily growing popularity, especially in English-speaking countries. We want to recognise this development with a short, succinct name that also works well outside Berlin. When we were able to win over the Berlin world footballer and namesake Toni Rüdiger, the decision was made: from now on, the little girl will be called Toni."

With her experienced 'coach' behind her, the little conservation ambassador has the best chance of soon becoming a world-class defender of diversity. Little Toni is already at the top of the league of the cutest baby animals. Her Instagram videos inspire an audience of millions. But it's not just popularity that unites the two namesakes: although they were born in Berlin, they both have a very special connection to West Africa. Only in the Ivory Coast, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone do the shy pygmy hippos still exist. They are already extinct in Nigeria. Their greatest threat is man - he is responsible for the loss of their habitat through the clearing of forests for mining and agricultural use. An issue that is very close to the heart of Toni Rüdiger, who holds both German and Sierra Leonean citizenship and was appointed Sierra Leone's football ambassador in 2022: "I didn't realise that there are fewer than 2,500 adult pygmy hippos left in West Africa. It would be really sad if these fantastic animals were soon to disappear from our planet forever. As ambassadors for species conservation, little Toni and I are therefore campaigning together for the endangered habitats of the pygmy hippos."

The little hippo lady still has time to put on some weight before her godfather of honour comes to visit. She is set to reach 200 kilograms, enough for a Berlin one-hippo wall. And one thing is for sure, little Toni will be keeping all her ears and toes crossed for "her" football star at every game from afar.

Note: On Thursday, 15^th of August 2024, the little pygmy hippopotamus will be seen for the first time by zoo guests in the outdoor enclosure. Media representatives are cordially invited to attend, and Zoo Director Dr Andreas Knieriem and the hippo team will be available for interviews from 10 am.

Background

Zoo Berlin succeeded in breeding this highly endangered species for the first time in Europe back in 1921. Dwarf hippo mum Debbie has already successfully reared young herself in 2004, 2007 and 2008. Dwarf hippo father Tobi is not involved in rearing the young. Pygmy hippos are shy loners and have fixed territories. The first pygmy hippopotamus came to Europe from Sierra Leone in 1873.