Watch: CMZoo welcomes surprise baby hoglet

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CMZoo) announced on Wednesday, Sept. 4 it has a new — surprise! — addition to its family.

Finn and Gus had been seen breeding but keepers were not certain a baby was on the way. In the early hours of Thursday, Aug. 29, keepers were greeted by a brand-new baby Red River Hog.

“It may seem strange to some, but Red River hog babies are some of the cutest in the whole animal kingdom with their striped markings, tiny statures, and energetic behaviors,” Amy Tuchman, Senior Keeper in African Rift Valley says. “Little one and mom seem to be doing great. We’re seeing a lot of nursing, napping, and activity from the baby. It likes to climb over Finn’s face, and we’ve seen it jumping and running when it gets little bursts of energy. Finn is really sweet and patient with it.”

Hoglets are often described as having a watermelon pattern when they are born. Just like adults, hoglets have the signature bright orange coats, but the babies also have brown and white stripes that run the length of their bodies, along with little brown and white spots all over.

Those stripes and spots fade at around six months of age, but they act as important camouflage in the meantime.

CMZoo says the hoglet is smaller than his mother, Finn’s, snout. Keepers say Finn has embraced all of the key behaviors they want to see from a first-time mom. The baby is nursing regularly, Finn nuzzles and cleans the baby, and the baby also gets ‘zoomies’ in their indoor den.

Due to Finn and the baby bonding well, the care staff at the zoo is unlikely to handle the baby unless there’s a medical need. The zoo said the baby’s sex has not been identified and likely won’t be for another several weeks.

“For now, Finn and baby will get time to bond alone,” said CMZoo. “Gus will join the family once Finn shows she’s comfortable.”

It is unknown when the hoglet will make its debut in public places. Following CMZoo tradition, the baby likely won’t be named for at least 30 days.

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