A male pygmy hippopotamus has been born at a zoo in the Czech Republic, adding to the species’ conservation efforts.
The hippo, named Mikolas, has joined two female and one male pygmy hippo at the Dvur Kralove zoo, which is 120 kilometers (75 miles) east of Prague, according to Helena Hubackova, a park spokesperson.
Pygmy hippos are native to marshes and rain forests in western Africa, and it’s thought that just about 2,500 still remain in the wild.
Breeding them in captivity has been difficult, owing to a shortage of males. Last year, only a dozen pygmy hippos were born in zoos around the world.
Pygmy hippos, which weigh up to 275 kilograms (600 pounds), are solitary and regarded as less dangerous than regular hippos, though they can become wild at times. In 2012, a zookeeper in Dvur Kralove sustained significant injuries.