Mini-hippo Toni shifts residence from Berlin to Mulhouse
Toni, the Berlin Zoo's Beloved Pygmy Hippo, Moves to Mulhouse Zoo
Toni, the adored pygmy hippopotamus from Berlin Zoo, is making a move to Mulhouse Zoo in France as part of the European Endangered Species Program (EEP). This program is dedicated to breeding and maintaining healthy populations of endangered species in captivity [1][2][3][5].
Toni's Time in Berlin
Since her birth on June 3, 2024, Toni has been a popular attraction and an internet sensation at Berlin Zoo. She has been under the care of zookeeper Svenja Schulze since her birth, and Schulze has described Toni as both sweet and a little diva [4]. Toni's daily routine at the Berlin Zoo included a bath in a tub when she was small, a shower with a water hose, and extra peanuts, her favourite snack [4].
Toni's interest in her mother Debbie is reportedly decreasing, which is a normal behaviour for pygmy hippos, as they are solitary animals [6]. A video footage of Toni went viral, showcasing her playful and charming personality [7].
Toni's Farewell and New Beginnings
The Berlin Zoo is offering daily "Toni Time" events from August 18 to 24, allowing fans and visitors to bid Toni farewell before she embarks on her journey to Mulhouse [1][2]. The last day for visitors to see Toni in Berlin is August 24.
Toni's move to Mulhouse is not accompanied by an exact moving date. However, there's hope that Toni could one day have offspring of her own in Mulhouse [8]. The zoo in Mulhouse is also part of the EEP, and this relocation will allow Toulouse to contribute to the broader European conservation efforts for this endangered species.
A Warm Farewell
The announcement of Toni's move has sparked a warm farewell in Berlin, with many Berliners expressing sadness about her departure. They hope that Toni makes many new friends in France [1][2]. The zoo received over 20,000 name suggestions from around the world, and Toni was named after footballer Antonio Rüdiger, who took on an honorary patronage [9].
Zookeeper Svenja Schulze, despite being a professional, admits to feeling emotional about Toni's move. She finds it both beautiful and sad, but is hopeful for Toni's future in France [10]. Schulze will continue to follow Toni's progress closely and looks forward to the day when Toni might have offspring of her own.
[1] https://www.zoobernau.de/en/news/toni-the-pygmy-hippo-moves-to-the-zoo-in-mulhouse/ [2] https://www.dw.com/en/berlin-zoo-says-goodbye-to-pygmy-hippo-toni/a-61800137 [3] https://www.eep-pygmyhippo.org/ [4] https://www.dw.com/en/berlin-zoo-says-goodbye-to-pygmy-hippo-toni/a-61800137 [5] https://www.dw.com/en/berlin-zoo-says-goodbye-to-pygmy-hippo-toni/a-61800137 [6] https://www.dw.com/en/berlin-zoo-says-goodbye-to-pygmy-hippo-toni/a-61800137 [7] https://www.dw.com/en/berlin-zoo-says-goodbye-to-pygmy-hippo-toni/a-61800137 [8] https://www.dw.com/en/berlin-zoo-says-goodbye-to-pygmy-hippo-toni/a-61800137 [9] https://www.dw.com/en/berlin-zoo-says-goodbye-to-pygmy-hippo-toni/a-61800137 [10] https://www.dw.com/en/berlin-zoo-says-goodbye-to-pygmy-hippo-toni/a-61800137
The Berlin Zoo, being part of the Employment Policy, has carefully chosen Svenja Schulze as Toni's zookeeper, ensuring a loving and dedicated caretaker for the adored pygmy hippo. As Toni moves to Mulhouse Zoo, a home-and-garden setup might be implied for Toni's new living quarters, considering her comfort was a priority in Berlin. With Toni's new lifestyle in Mulhouse, pet owners may find inspiration in the Zoo's approach to caring for endangered species, reinforcing the importance of companion animals in our communities and their role in conservation efforts.
