Update: Hippo gives birth in Lake Panic Posted on 16 June 2021 Tags:Hippos, Kruger National Park, lake panic Images of a baby hippo being born in Lake Panic, Kruger National Park were celebrated by Getaway viewers on youth day, and we have an update with new pictures of the mother and calf before and after the birth. The remarkable event was captured by Wendy Priilaid from the Lake Panic hide on 31 May. ‘Before the birth mama was floating around a little restlessly (9.09). Then she was napping briefly before the birth,’ said Sarah. ‘The first pic of the feet emerging was taken at 9.49.20, then mama submerged. At 9.50.18 the baby’s head popped up out of the water.’ Soon-to-be mom appears to be napping. Photo by Wendy Priilaid The baby hippo’s feet emerge. Photo by Wendy Priilaid The baby hippo emerges from the water after the mother submerged during the birth. Photo by Wendy Priilaid (above and below) It appears the mother is helping the baby by nudging it towards the bank. Photo by Wendy Priilaid Photo by Wendy Priilaid A close-up of the newborn addition to the pod. Hippo calves are incredibly cute. Photo by Wendy Priilaid Mother and calf take a rest after an eventful morning. Photo by Wendy Priilaid Hippopotamus’ typically give birth underwater, which helps the mother conserve her energy during the birthing process by alleviating weight. The average gestation period of a hippo is 243 days. Hippos produce no more than one calf every two years. Lake Panic is a favourite with wildlife photographers and birders. When there is little birding action (which is seldom) visitors can be entertained by the resident hippos that call the lake home. Lake Panic is located on the S42 near Skukuza on the road to the Nursery. Related Posts New government Management Plan for penguins – but is it too late? 12 August 2022 This is not the first plan government has set in place alongside various NGOs, and... read more Suspected poisoning of vultures in Kruger National Park 12 August 2022 SANParks reported an incident of suspected poisoning of vultures close in the Punda Maria Section... read more Kruger makes TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice list of outdoor destinations 12 August 2022 Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, listed Kruger National Park in its Travellers' Choice... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
New government Management Plan for penguins – but is it too late? 12 August 2022 This is not the first plan government has set in place alongside various NGOs, and... read more
Suspected poisoning of vultures in Kruger National Park 12 August 2022 SANParks reported an incident of suspected poisoning of vultures close in the Punda Maria Section... read more
Kruger makes TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice list of outdoor destinations 12 August 2022 Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, listed Kruger National Park in its Travellers' Choice... read more
