Anyone who knows me well knows that I love pygmy hippos. Until a few weeks ago, when the question came up about my favorite animal, it was a somewhat novel answer.
That’s because, ever since Mu Deng’s video went viral, the rest of the world has noticed luminous fat, small cylindrical ears that stick out perpendicular to the head, large, orb-like black eyes, and pink underbelly. That was until she noticed the unique cuteness of her abdomen. .
Millions of people now appreciate the wonders of baby pygmy hippos, but I’ve been admiring this species for over 15 years.
For me, it all started in late 2008. It was another time, another baby pygmy hippopotamus.
I was 11 years old and the evening news was playing in the background while I was finishing my homework and that must have been the last part.
Her name was Monifa, and she was the first pygmy hippopotamus born at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo in 23 years. It was love at first sight.
I was at an age where I knew that was impossible, but I still (half-jokingly) begged my parents for pygmy kava during dinner.
The next morning, waiting for me on the breakfast table was a clipping from the morning paper Monifa that my father had cut out for me, along with a note indicating that it was the requested replacement for the actual baby hippo. Ta.
It would be another five years before I met Monifa in three dimensions.
I had applied for my 10th year work experience at Taronga Zoo a year ago and was delighted to learn that I had been allocated to the department for primates and ungulates – pygmy hippos.
When the zookeeper introduced me to the pygmy hippopotamus cage, she let me rub Monifa’s body and watch the tiny beads of her sweat bubble up into a natural sunscreen.
I had to cut up Monifa’s food, clean her enclosure, and rake up leaves and droppings. It was a privilege.
When I have free time on my birthday, I still often choose a day in Taronga to greet the pygmy hippos.
It’s great to see people all over the world feel the awe I’ve felt for pygmy hippos. I don’t know if it will last – viral moments like summer romance tend to fade – but I know that my devotion to pygmy hippos will last.
Natasha May is Guardian Australia’s health reporter
