Join us in naming the baby Pygmy Hippopotamus! (※Registration is now closed)

*Applications closed on March 31, 2026.

Ueno Zoo will be naming a female Pygmy Hippopotamus born on December 25, 2025. Please vote for the name you think is most appropriate from the five candidate names.

This Pygmy Hippopotamus breeding project is the result of a joint breeding program conducted by our zoo and NIFREL in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture.

Application period

March 17th (Tuesday) - March 31st (Tuesday), 2025

Eligibility to vote

Anyone can vote.

Name candidates

Spruce... A tree used as a Kawakawa tree, in honor of its birthday (Flower meaning: eternity, sincerity)
Holly... In honor of the birthday, it's a tree that adorns Kawakawa (Flower meaning: Brings good fortune, vitality that withstands winter)
Iroha... from the Japanese maple (flower meaning: harmony, beautiful change)
Camellia... A representative flowering tree of winter in Japan (Flower meaning: pride, unpretentious beauty)
Kohana... an adorable image, like a small, delicate flower in bloom.

How to Apply

Please choose one of the five name candidates and vote using the registration form.

*Please limit your entry to one per person.
*There will be no ballot boxes set up inside the park.
*Applications via email or postal mail will not be accepted.

About voting

[Contact Information] Ueno Ueno Zoo Education and Outreach Section
TEL: 03-3828-5171 (Main number) *Reception hours: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
[Deadline]Entries must be submitted by March 31, 2026 (Tuesday).
　　　　　　　　*Applications closed on March 31, 2026.

Selection Process

The name with the most votes will be chosen. The winning name will be announced on Tuesday, April 7th.

Souvenirs

We will give everyone who votes an original image of a baby Pygmy Hippopotamus as a gift. You can get it from the screen after completing your vote.

*There are no other application benefits besides those listed above. Furthermore, we will not be offering invitations to the zoo for those who name the animal.

About the child who was born

Birthday: December 25, 2025 (Thursday)
Number of animals: 1
Gender: Female
Parents: Mother: Momiji, 22 years old
Born November 20, 2003 Ueno Zoo
　　　　　　
Father: Motomoto, 12 years old
Born July 9, 2013 at Buin Zoo (Chile)
March 20, 2023: Received from NIFREL (Osaka Prefecture) to Ueno Zoo

Current situation

Since birth, the baby has always stayed with its mother, never leaving her side. However, recently, even when in the same room, we've noticed it sometimes creating a little distance between itself and the pool or land area.

About the release

We will inform you of the release date as soon as it is decided.

Animal care status at Ueno Zoo (as of March 13, 2026)
5 cubs (2 males, 3 females) *Including the offspring born this time

Domestic breeding situation (as of December 27, 2025)
6 zoos/aquariums, 16 animals (5 males, 11 females) *This includes the offspring born this time.

Related articles

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