At the Ramona Wildlife Center, run by the San Diego Humane Society, a very special resident recently celebrated her 52nd birthday, and with good reason.
Image: San Diego Humane Society
Hannah Shirley is widely regarded as the oldest living pygmy hippopotamus in managed care, a true silver-jubilant icon in the animal world.
A birthday to remember
Forget traditional cake, Hannah’s “Hungry Hungry Hippos”-themed celebration featured floating fruit treats, colourful balls, streamers, and plenty of gifts. According to reports by The Guardian, Hannah’s keepers say she played with joy and curiosity, clearly showing off her playful spirit even in her later years. Autumn Welch, Wildlife Operations Manager, reflected: “Every day with Hannah Shirley is a gift … her energy and curiosity are extraordinary.”
A remarkable journey
Hannah was born in November 1973. In 2002, she was rescued from a private backyard in Escondido, California, and brought to the Ramona Wildlife Center, where she now lives in a lush 13,000-square-foot habitat complete with a pond and pool. Her days are carefully tailored to her age — she enjoys back rubs, sprinkler showers, and meals designed especially for her.
Why it matters
In the wild, pygmy hippos usually live just 25 to 30 years. That makes Hannah’s longevity truly exceptional. Earlier in 2025, she surpassed the previous record of 51 years, 6 months, and 2 days. According to her caretakers, she’s more than just a record holder — she’s a beloved ambassador for her species. “Anyone who meets Hannah falls in love with her,” says Angela Hernandez-Cusick, Wildlife Rehabilitation Supervisor.
A peek into her world
Pygmy hippos are quite different from their larger river-dwelling cousins. Native to West Africa (mainly Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire), these shy, nocturnal herbivores are less aquatic, with narrower heads, longer necks, and a unique set of teeth. There are only an estimated ~2,000 left in the wild, which makes Hannah’s role in conservation all the more important.
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