a baby of hippo Berlin Zoo took its first walk through the water in the Hippo Bay before the eyes of dozens of visitors, according to the establishment itself.
The tender moment occurred during an exhibition that was recorded in a video that the zoo shared and that was later released by local media. The staff accompanied the activity and described the animal’s behavior as calm and active during the dive.
The record shows the aquatic mammal born in September moving with agility in the company of its mother, Nalawith short strokes and a movement that the zoo described as graceful.
The animal alternated brief dives with moments on the surface, which allowed those watching at the viewpoints to do so without direct approaches.
The video became the first public testimony of the specimen’s contact with the Hippo Bay before the public.
He Berlin Zoo He indicated that the team of caregivers supervised each step of the process and that the presentation to the visitors was organized to respect the adaptation times of the calf.
The zoo clarified that the priority was the well-being of the specimen at all times. Photo: APThe objective was to allow the animal to explore the aquatic environment in the presence of specialized personnel, maintaining a safe distance between the public and the enclosure. The zoo clarified that the priority was the well-being of the specimen at all times.
What was the first public bath like?
In the video you can see a brief but clear sequence of the calf entering and leaving the water.
The animal stayed close to the shaded areas of Hippo Bay and made controlled dives that lasted a few seconds each. Photo: APThe animal stayed close to the shaded areas of the Hippo Bay and performed controlled dives that lasted a few seconds each.
The visitors observed from the enabled sectors of the enclosure and there was no direct interaction with the offspring.
The zoo maintained that gradual exposure to water It is an expected step in the development of young hippos and that each phase is planned according to the animal’s response.
Caregivers recorded the session to document adaptation and to inform future decisions about integrating the offspring into the adult group. Photo: EFECaregivers recorded the session to document adaptation and to inform future decisions about integrating the offspring into the adult group.
Animal status and institutional monitoring
The Berlin Zoo reported that the calf shows signs of good general condition and that it continues to be under veterinary and animal care team observation.
Periodic controls included activity measurements and evaluations of behavior in the water. These data will be used to adjust exposure times and care routines.
The hippopotamus Nala and her calf, born at the end of September, swim at the Berlin Zoo, Germany, on November 6, 2025. Photo: REUTERS Staff noted that supervision will continue as the calf completes key phases of its development and that any changes in protocol will be communicated through official zoo channels.
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