Orphaned Child Hippo Toto Rescued in Liberia’s Grebo-Krahn National Park
25 October 2024 — Conservation groups have performed a profitable rescue operation to save lots of an orphaned child hippo, now named Toto, who was found stranded in a drying mud pool deep inside Liberia’s Grebo-Krahn National Park.
This distant nationwide park, positioned throughout Grand Gedeh and River Gee Counties, is managed by Liberia’s Forestry Development Authority and is thought for its wealthy biodiversity, housing over 300 animal species, together with endangered and critically endangered species just like the Western Chimpanzee, Diana Monkey, King Colobus, and the Pygmy Hippopotamus.
Toto, a younger pygmy hippo, was first noticed from the air by conservationists conducting a routine wildlife survey. After a number of days of monitoring, the crew confirmed that the calf was certainly orphaned and in quick hazard.
Stuck in thick mud and surrounded by a shortly drying pool, Toto’s state of affairs turned important, and it was clear that intervention was crucial to save lots of his life. The distant and difficult terrain of Grebo-Krahn National Park made the rescue advanced, requiring the experience of native wildlife rescuers and the help of helicopter pilot Andrew Francombe, who was capable of attain the world.
After Toto was fastidiously extracted from the mud and wrapped in moist blankets to stop dehydration, the crew transported him to a close-by subject station for medical evaluation and stabilization. Conservation officers are actually assessing choices for Toto’s long-term care to make sure he receives the nurturing surroundings he wants.
One chance being thought-about is relocating Toto to Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand. Known for its experience in caring for orphaned and rescued animals, Khao Kheow Open Zoo has expressed curiosity in offering a everlasting dwelling for Toto. Plans on the zoo would come with a devoted habitat with a shaded pool designed to simulate his pure surroundings and assist his bodily and social growth.
Another choice being thought-about is Jessica the Hippo’s residence in Hoedspruit, South Africa. Jessica, a well-known hippo identified for her distinctive bond with people, has lived along with her caretakers for over twenty years and resides in a protected surroundings. Relocating Toto right here would permit him to develop up in Africa underneath the steering of Jessica’s skilled crew, with the chance to learn from the presence of one other hippo that has efficiently tailored to human interplay.
Both potential relocation websites—Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo and Jessica’s dwelling in Hoedspruit—are being fastidiously evaluated, with conservation groups working to find out the most suitable choice for Toto’s welfare. Officials anticipate to make a ultimate determination within the coming weeks, prioritizing Toto’s well being, security, and long-term care.
The worldwide collaboration and swift response in Toto’s rescue underscore a shared dedication to defending endangered wildlife. Conservation groups stay devoted to giving Toto a safe future, both in Thailand or in Africa, as he begins the subsequent chapter of his life.
