SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - The river hippopotamus habitat was the hip place to be Saturday at the San Diego Zoo.
The Zoo hosted a party for its 100th birthday and also celebrated the first birthday of its hippo calf, Devi, who was born March 23, 2015.
Keepers tossed a wreath in the shape of the number “100” into the pool. The wreath was made from the leaves and branches of honeysuckle and grewia plants grown at the Zoo. Devi’s mother, Funani, immediately bit down and chewed on the foliage. Devi ended up putting her head through one of the zeros in the wreath.
Later in the party, Funani showed guests what big teeth she has when keepers used a “water cannon” that sprays into the pool.
The hippopotamus is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, known as the IUCN. The primary threats to hippos are illegal and unregulated hunting for meat and the ivory found in the canine teeth, and habitat loss.
Play Days ends Sunday, April 3, with extended Zoo hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. All Play Days activities and entertainment are included with admission to the San Diego Zoo.
