Courtesy of Dallas Zoo

Earlier this month, the Advocate posted an article announcing the name and gender of the Dallas Zoo’s newest addition, Kalo the baby hippopotamus.

Sign up for our newsletter!

* indicates required

While we expected a rousing response to the hippo announcement, we may have underestimated just how excited our neighbors, and the online fandom dedicated to baby hippos, would be about the news.

A quick look at Google Trends shows that in 2022, the search term “baby hippo” reached an all time high. In fact, searches for “baby hippo” were up 23% from 2017, which had previously held the record for the year with the most “baby hippo” searches.

And it’s no wonder why. CNN listed Fritz and Fiona, two hippos born at the Cincinnati Zoo who have gained twitter fame and have merchandise, as one of the biggest stories of 2022.

So the Advocate realized Kalo is not just any ordinary baby animal at the Zoo. Kalo is a baby hippo joining the leagues of baby hippo celebrity. And celebrities should be interviewed.

Kalo is a lady in high demand, but the Advocate managed to snag some time with a Dallas Zoo spokesperson who gave some insight into the life of a little hippo in the spotlight.

 

The song goes ‘I want a hippopotamus for Christmas’, but did Kalo ask for anything this Christmas?

“Kalo wished for temperatures back above 40 degrees so she can spend more time on habitat! This new hippo calf had just started spending more time with mom out in the habitat, so she’s looking forward to getting back in there to explore the sandy beach and the 120,000-gallon pool.”

 

Many of our readers have already speculated about a potential budding romance between Kalo and Fritz from the Cincinnati zoo. Does Kalo have anything to say about the rumors?

“[Kalo and Fritz are] actually related – so no love connection there! The hippo population in accredited zoos is carefully monitored by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program to ensure genetic diversity and sustainability for the species, so Fritz and Kalo would not be a recommended match.
It’s great to have friends, though, to learn from and help guide the way. So we know Kalo and her Zoo team are paying attention to all of Fritz’s milestones, and we’re all excited to watch Kalo experience those same moments here in Dallas.”

 

How is Kalo finding the spotlight now that she is on habitat at the zoo?

“She is an adventurous little one! Unlike [her] half-sister Adanna, who was shy and cautious when she first debuted to the public, Kalo seems confident to go exploring and happy to take everything in – all while still staying close to mom Boipelo, though! She doesn’t shy away from greeting guests at the viewing window that’s at the far end of the Simmons Hippo Outpost. She’s spending more and more time on habitat, so she’s becoming even more comfortable every day.”

 

What sorts of things does Kalo enjoy to unwind and relax from the pressures of being a baby hippo celebrity?

“She is still all about napping, and snuggling up to mom Boipelo. Boipelo is a natural mom, and very protective. So she does a great job of making sure Kalo is well-fed and gets her needed rest – so Kalo is ready to greet her fans. We’re not sure Kalo really knows she’s got a “following” – she’s just doing all the things a baby hippo is supposed to do!”

 

What is one message Kalo would like to give to her fans going into the New Year?

“Kalo and the rest of the hippo bloat (fun fact: that’s what a group of hippos is called!) are looking forward to eating and lounging (on the beach) and hanging (in the water) and spending more time together in the New Year. Which sounds like a great plan for everyone!”