Bid Farewell to Mini-Hippo Toni as Many Depart - Bid Farewell to Mini-Hippo Toni, Said Several Departing Guests
The Berlin Zoo has been a hub of activity in recent days, as visitors flocked to catch a final glimpse of Toni, the beloved pygmy hippo, before it moves to Mulhouse, France.
Toni, who has been a resident of the Berlin Zoo since its birth, has been instrumental in drawing attention to a species that wasn't in the spotlight much before. The zoo's Instagram community has grown from 125,000 to over 254,000 members since Toni's birth, and individual posts on the platform reached millions, such as during the naming campaign and the 2024 year-in-review.
The footballer Antonio Rüdiger became Toni's namesake and honorary patron, adding to its popularity. The pygmy hippo's birth video went viral, attracting over 20,000 name suggestions from around the world.
Toni's final hours at the Berlin Zoo were marked by swimming, diving, and splashing, as observed by the visitors. The "Hippo Bay" at the zoo was exceptionally busy, with up to 100 people gathering before 1:30 PM, the time of the special program organised for Toni's fans.
A zoo spokesperson stated that they didn't expect such a large turnout for Toni's last days. One visitor even traveled from Prague to see Toni's last days at the Berlin Zoo.
The exact moving day for Toni is undisclosed by the zoo, but it is expected to travel early this week. In Mulhouse, it is hoped that Toni will have offspring of its own.
Toni received a hose-down or extra peanuts as a treat during its final hours at the Berlin Zoo, and the emotion and curiosity of the visitors were evident. The pygmy hippo was a beloved figure at the zoo, and its departure has left a void that will be hard to fill.
The Berlin Zoo offered a special program daily at 1:30 PM for Toni's fans to see it one last time. Visitors crowded the Berlin Zoo to witness Toni's last appearance in the capital, with many taking to social media to share their experiences and express their gratitude for the memories created with Toni.
As Toni prepares to embark on its journey to France, the Berlin Zoo community bid a fond farewell to the pygmy hippo, grateful for the time they spent with this remarkable animal and the role it played in bringing people together.
