Toni, the mini hippo: a year full of joy and farewell at the Berlin Zoo!

Toni, the mini hippo: a year full of joy and farewell at the Berlin Zoo!

Zoo Berlin, Deutschland - On June 3, 2025, Toni, the popular dwarf flow horse at the Berlin Zoo, celebrated her first birthday. The day was full of surprises and joy. Toni received a unique floating cake and a frozen one, while congratulations from all over the world arrived. As an internet star, Toni has won millions of fans in the past few months who enjoy their funny videos.

The festive mood was overshadowed by sad news: This will be Toni's last birthday in the Berlin Zoo. Animal keeper Lucas Baum observed how Toni was initially shy and slowly came up with the gift table. Their weight is now about 100 kilograms, like the hip of tree. She also shows typical childhood behavior and has a close bond with her mother Debbie.

Farewell and new opportunities

Next year Toni will move to another zoo according to a European conservation breeding program to mate with a male. This step is intended to support the breeding of the endangered dwarf flow horses and secure their population in the long term. In addition to Toni, there is internationally acquaintance with other mini hippos, including Moo Deng from Thailand and Poppy from the USA, which further increases interest in the species.

A special moment has already been: a video call between Toni and Moo Deng took place, which underlines the global networking of the zoos and animals. The initiative for conservation breeding is part of wider efforts to protect biodiversity in the zoos. According to the website of the Zoo Berlin, it is important to carry out such programs to secure various animal species.

commitment to biodiversity

The Dortmund Zoo, which also works on conservation breeding programs, illustrates how important working in zoos is for population protection. Here, for example, the Gibbon was chosen as the zoo animal of the year in order to draw attention to the threat of this kind. The association of ZooFreunde Dortmund celebrated its 70th anniversary this year, which is further proof of the commitment of German zoos in the field of species protection and education. Donations and membership fees increase the attractiveness of the zoos.

This will also be Toni's move to a new home part of this important tradition. The preservation of biodiversity not only requires the cooperation between Zoos worldwide, but also the interest and support of the public. We can be excited to see how Toni will develop at the new location and which new adventures are waiting for you.