Arizona’s Wildlife World Zoo has announced the name of its newly born baby pygmy hippo, following a naming contest that attracted thousands of votes from visitors. The hippo, born on January 22, 2024, has been officially named Jellybean, a name that garnered an impressive 81.3% of the total votes. The runner-up names included Cadbury with 7.3%, Twixi at 6.9%, and Taffy, which received 4.6% of the votes.
On February 23, 2024, Kristy Hayden, President of Arizona’s Wildlife World Zoo, appeared on the TODAY show, introducing Jellybean to a national audience. During the segment, Hayden cradled the young hippo while standing by its watering hole, capturing the hearts of viewers, including hosts Jenna Bush Hager, Carson Daly, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, and Al Roker. “OK, so the moment we’ve all been waiting for, without any further ado — world, I’d like you to meet little Jellybean,” Hayden declared, eliciting cheers from the studio audience.
Pygmy hippos are classified as an endangered species, with only about 2,500 remaining in the wild. Births are considered rare, making Jellybean’s arrival significant for conservation efforts aimed at this vulnerable species. The young hippo was born weighing 11 pounds but has already increased to 33 pounds during its most recent check-up. Adult pygmy hippos can weigh between 350 and 600 pounds, indicating Jellybean has much growth ahead.
The Wildlife World Zoo is located in Litchfield Park, roughly 20 miles outside of Phoenix. Jellybean and her mother, named Lollipop, will be exhibited during regular zoo hours, allowing visitors to engage with these charming animals.
Jellybean’s birth follows the arrival of another baby pygmy hippo named Moo Deng at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand in July 2024. Moo Deng became a viral sensation, significantly increasing visitor numbers to that facility. As one zookeeper noted in a statement to TODAY in September 2024, “Moo Deng may not know of her popularity, but her mom might be surprised as before it was quiet.”
The naming of Jellybean not only adds to the joy of zoo visitors but also highlights the importance of conservation efforts for pygmy hippos. As these animals face threats in their natural habitats, each birth represents a hopeful step toward sustaining their population. The Wildlife World Zoo aims to educate the public about the challenges these creatures face while providing a safe environment for them to thrive.
