GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — One of John Ball Zoo's newest residents has made his public debut, almost two months after he was born.
Hugo, the baby pygmy hippo, made his first foray into the public side of the hippo enclosure at the zoo on October 27.
The members-only preview is scheduled to run through Friday. The zoo explained the smaller audience should help the baby get used to people before he makes a wider public appearance starting November 1.
Hugo was born September 3. He is the first pygmy hippo to be born at John Ball Zoo.
While you'll have a chance, if you're a zoo member, to see Hugo this week, the zoo warns that hippos like to snooze during the day and Hugo is quite good at hiding in the hay.
The cheapest membership level at the zoo is $85 for one person, $115 for two, and $145 for a family.
The final day of the 2025 season for the John Ball Zoo is November 23rd.
EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this story said Hugo's first appearance was set for Tuesday, October 28th. The zoo tells us he actually made an appearance on Monday.
