Zoo's baby hippo gets name, romps with mother

San Diego Zoo has named a new river hippo calf, Ahmale (ah-MA'-shay), which means "beautiful one" in Zulu. baby was born on February 8 and w weighs an estimated 100 pounds (about 45 kilograms) and is active and healthy.

She is 13th calf of her mor, Funani, who also lives at San Diego Zoo.

She was given name in a national contest, with name anunced on national TV Friday.

"It's my hope that everyone has h a chance really get to kw Amahle early in her life and that y'll follow her and want to learn more about river hippos and want to do more for river hippos in ir native habitat in Africa," said Jennifer Chapman, a wildfire care specialist at San Diego Zoo.

River hippos are from sub-Saharan Africa and are threatened by illegal hunting, according to San Diego Zoo.

(Picture Credit: representative im/pixabay)