On November 26th, the Basel Zoo in Switzerland was happy to welcome a new baby hippo to its roster. Parents Helvetia and Wilhelm are guarding their infant closely and have refused to allow zoo staff near their precious new baby to determine its sex. So staffers are following the baby around trying to peer at his underparts while keeping away from their two-ton parents.

They also have been trying to observe how the little hippo pees which can help them determine his sex. The birth was a surprise as staffers didn’t even know that Helvetia was pregnant. This is the third baby for Helvetia and Wilhelm, proving that although the zoo staff may not be witnessing the act of hippo love, the hippos certainly are doing it.

New Baby Hippo at Basel Zoo

New Baby at Basel Zoo

New Baby at Basel Zoo

Once the hippo’s gender is discovered, the zookeeper will name the baby, most likely choosing a Swahili word.