Remember Moo Deng? The tiny Thai pygmy hippo whose name loosely translates to "bouncy pork" took the internet by storm, spawned endless memes, and even earned her own Saturday Night Live sketch. The world was obsessed, and honestly, same. Well, consider this your sign to head west, because the Valley just got its very own baby hippo moment!
Meet Jellybean, born January 22 at Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park in Litchfield Park, and she is every bit as squeezable as her name suggests!
Jellybean's name was chosen by community vote, which feels just right for a baby who already belongs to all of us. Her mama is Lollipop, and this sweet duo has already stolen the hearts of staff and guests alike. Daily check-ins with keepers, made possible because Lollipop is trained to safely allow the team access, let the staff track Jellybean's weight, growth, and every precious milestone. When she's not visiting with her humans, she's tucked right beside mom, bonding beautifully.
Behind the adorableness, there's serious science happening. Wildlife World's veterinary and animal care teams work in close coordination, adjusting her habitat, supporting Lollipop's journey as a new mom, and documenting everything. And that documentation matters more than most people realize.
Pygmy hippos are endangered. Fewer than 2,500 are estimated to remain in the wild, living so deep in West African forests that they are almost never seen. Much of what researchers know about their biology, maternal behavior, and development comes entirely from zoological records. Jellybean's birth contributes to a genetically diverse, healthy population and gives conservationists crucial data on a species that remains genuinely mysterious.
While the days are still coolish, carve out some time to meet Lollipop and Jellybean. We dare you not to say Hippo Hurray!
Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park, located at 16501 W. Northern Ave., Litchfield Park, AZ 85340, where the pygmy hippo habitat offers a rare chance to watch this little star grow up. Wildlife World Zoo has more than 600 species. They are home to Arizona’s largest collection of exotic animals