Toni the mini-hippo leaves Berlin for Mulhouse
Toni, the internet-famous dwarf hippo from Berlin Zoo, is set to bid farewell to its adoring fans as it prepares to move to Mulhouse Zoo in France later this month.
Since Toni's birth on June 3, 2024, the young hippo has captured the hearts of many, with its playful antics and endearing personality making it a popular attraction at the zoo. Over 20,000 name suggestions were received for the new arrival, with the name Toni eventually chosen, becoming synonymous with the charismatic hippo.
Toni's namesake, German footballer Antonio Rüdiger, has even taken on an honorary patronage for the hippo, adding an extra layer of fame to its already impressive reputation.
Zookeeper Svenja Schulze, who has been with Toni since its birth, has found the move bittersweet, despite her professional duties. "Toni is very sweet, but also a little diva," she says, describing the hippo's quirky personality. "When Toni is greeted in the morning, it expects a little peanut."
Visitors to Berlin Zoo can still catch a glimpse of Toni until August 24, with a special "Toni Time" event held daily from August 18, featuring a hose-down or an extra portion of peanuts for the hippo[2][5].
Toni's move to Mulhouse Zoo is part of the European Endangered Species Program (EEP), which aims to support captive breeding and conservation of endangered species[1][3]. In Mulhouse, it is hoped that Toni will one day produce offspring of its own, contributing to the conservation efforts for its endangered species.
Many people in Berlin will miss Toni, but the hippo's legacy will live on through the memories it has created and the impact it has had on the zoo and its visitors.
References: [1] European Endangered Species Program (EEP) - https://www.eep-online.org/ [2] Berlin Zoo - Toni's Last Days - https://www.berliner-zoo.de/en/news/toni-last-days/ [3] European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) - https://www.eaza.org/ [4] Mulhouse Zoo - https://www.zoo-mulhouse.com/ [5] Toni's Daily "Toni Time" Event - https://www.berliner-zoo.de/en/events/toni-time/
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