L.A. Zoo welcomes baby hippo

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A hippopotamus calf born on Halloween went on public viewing today at the Los Angeles Zoo.

About fifty visitors witnessed the baby hippo’s birth last week, the zoo’s first in 26 years.

The calf’s birth surprised Principal Animal Keeper Mike Maxcy; the mother, 10-year old cow Mara, was on birth control when she mated with 3-year-old bull Adhama.

Not wanting to disturb the bonding process between mother and newborn, zoo staff have not yet ventured close enough to find out the calf's sex.

Hillary Jackson contributed to this report.