[Updated on January 10th ]

"Nemunemu" has made its adult pool debut!

On January 10th, the depth of the pool was returned to its original level, and "Nemunemu" finally made her debut in the adult pool!

At first, Nemunemu stared intently at the pool, which was at a different depth than usual, and even though she quietly went into the pool, she quickly came back up. Nemunemu was watching the adult pool carefully.

``This guy is a cautious person...'' the curator grumbled.

On the other hand, mom "Furufur" looks happy in the deep pool for the first time in a while! They were swimming freely.

Perhaps attracted by this situation, Nemunemu also returned to the pool.

When it's time to take a breather, I go to the shallow stairs, or stand on my furufuru's back or on a large piece of driftwood and expose my face to the surface of the water.

I got used to it in no time and was swimming comfortably.

We also did an Instagram live at lunch!

Click here to see the details of the day .

《October 21st update》

The nickname has been decided as "Nemunemu"!

This is the nickname for the baby mini hippopotamus we were looking for from September 22nd to October 13th.

The total number of applications was 3,010! Thank you for your many applications.

And the nickname chosen by the curator from among these is... "Nemunemu"!

``Nemunemu'' is named after the birth flower of August 17th, ``Nemu'' tree, and its appearance of ``sleeping''.

The flower language of the Album tree means ``joy'' and ``heart-throbbing,'' and reasons for submitting entries included the joy everyone felt at the birth of a mini hippo and the feeling they felt when they saw a baby for the first time.

It also contains the wish for people to sleep well and grow up healthy. </p

Now, we have prepared a special gift for those who apply for "Nemunemu".

When shipping the gift, the Nifrel Secretariat will contact the contact information you entered at the time of application.

Please look forward to it.

《October 15th update》

The blindfold sheet for the mini hippo aquarium has been removed!

As the baby mini hippopotamus was growing steadily and the mother, Furufuru, was able to raise her children in a stable manner, we removed the blindfold sheet that had been installed in the aquarium. We continue to install ``Sukusuku Tree'' sheets with congratulatory messages for babies.

The baby mini hippopotamus and its mother ``Furufur'' are displayed alternately with ``Tenten'' after 1:00 p.m.
Parents and children can be directly viewed until 1:00 p.m., but changing times after 1:00 p.m. vary from day to day depending on the situation of the parents and children.

《October 4th update》

Mini hippo baby exhibition hours have been extended!

Currently, the baby mini hippopotamus and its mother, Furufuru, can be viewed through the viewing window in the aquarium's blindfold sheet from opening until around 1:00 p.m.

《Updated on September 21st 》

We are looking for nicknames for baby mini hippos!

Please give the perfect nickname for the female mini hippo born on August 17th!

The nickname is based on the mini-hippos (Motomoto, Furufuru, Tamtam, and Tenten) that have lived in Nifrel, and is determined by a 4- letter nickname consisting of a repeating 2- letter sound.

《Application period》　September 22 , 2023 (Friday) - October 13 , 2023 (Friday)

《How to apply》 You can apply inside the Nifrel building or on the website.

① Read the QR code 　　　　　　　installed in front of the mini hippo exhibition zone and in front of the Nifrel exit ticket gate ,

　　　　　　　　Please apply using the dedicated form.

　　　　　　　② Click here to apply using the dedicated form on the website

　　　　　　　　*Collected personal information will be used only for purposes related to this matter.

　　　　　　　　*Each person can only apply once.

《Selection Method》 The Nifrel Director and the curator in charge of Mini Cover will select the winners from among the applications.

《Present》 All those who apply for the chosen nickname will receive a special thank you for naming a mini hippo baby.

　　　　　　　　Get a sticker! (Delivery period: October 21 , 2023 to December 31 , 2023 , admission required)

[Nickname announcement]　Scheduled for Saturday　, October 21 , 2023

*Details such as the presentation method will be announced later.

《Comment from the curator in charge》　

The recently debuted pool seems to be a favorite. When I'm sleeping soundly underwater, Furufuru often doesn't bother me and doesn't wake up even if I go back to the bedroom first... He sleeps well and is growing rapidly.

On the other hand, sometimes I feel like I'm not observing the behavior of Furufuru too often. Judging by the way she imitates her mother's movements, such as taking a little bit of green grass in her mouth and following her for a walk, I guess she is cautious. I think so too. We are looking forward to receiving your submissions for wonderful nicknames that are perfect for this pup.

Currently, the baby mini hippopotamus and its mother, Furufuru, can be viewed through the viewing window in the aquarium's blindfold sheet from opening until around 12:00.

[Updated on September 1st]

The gender of the baby mini hippo has been revealed!

We found out the gender of our baby mini hippo! It's "female".

Also, we will be making our debut in front of you today, September 1st! The aquarium was covered with a blindfold sheet from opening until around 12:00.

You will be able to see the parent and child directly through the viewing windows (3 locations)!

[Updated on August 28th]

Baby mini hippos will be released from September 1st (Friday)!

For a limited time, you can see their adorable faces through the viewing window.

Two weeks have passed since birth, and now that the baby is stable, we will open diamond-shaped viewing windows (3 locations) approximately 20 cm long in the blindfold sheet of the mini hippo aquarium so that you can directly see the parent and child!

<Release date> From Friday, September 1, 2023

<Public hours> Opening until 12:00

*We plan to gradually extend the opening hours depending on the child-rearing situation.

*At times other than those listed above, you can watch the parent and child live on the monitor.

*It may be changed or canceled depending on the situation of the mini hippo parent and child.

《Updated on August 18th》

At 2:03 a.m. on Thursday, August 17, 2023, a baby mini hippopotamus (gender unknown → female ), a globally rare creature, was born! Her mother, Furufuru, is always close to her and cares for her, and she was able to breastfeed 2 and a half hours after she was born, and is currently growing well.

At Nifrel, in order for Furufuru to raise his children in a calm environment, the mini hippopotamus exhibition area in the 2nd floor "Water Touch" zone is covered with glass, so you cannot directly see the parent and child. Starting today, August 18th (Friday), you will be able to watch live footage of babies and their adorable parenting on a monitor set up in front of the glass .
We plan to open the peephole little by little after the baby is stable, so we will let you know once we have decided on a date when you can see the baby directly.

Also, starting today, we will be collecting congratulatory messages for the mini hippo babies at ``Nifrel Makes'' on the 2nd floor . The messages we receive will be pasted on the glass surface of the mini hippo display area by our staff, and we will encourage you to join us in supporting the healthy growth of your baby and raising your child to the fullest.
　

This is the third baby mini hippopotamus born at Nifrel, following the birth of Tam Tam (male) on February 21, 2019 and Ten Ten (female) on June 18, 2021.

① [About the mini hippo babies born this time]
《Pregnancy confirmation》 May 12, 2023 (by echo test)
《Birthday》 At 2:03 a.m. on August 17, 2023 (Thursday), the 2nd floor "Mizu" Born in the backyard of the "Benifuru" zone.
《Sex》 Currently unknown -> Confirmed to be female
《Size》 Body length: 57cm, weight: 7.5kg (as of August 18, 2023)
《Parents》 Mother: Nicknamed "Furufur" (10 years old. December 17, 2012) Father: Nicknamed "Motomoto" (10 years old. Born at Buin Zoo
　　　　　 in Chile on July 9, 2013)
　　　　　*Currently living at Ueno Zoo for the purpose of preserving the species.

② [About the mini hippo]
The mini hippopotamus is a rare animal that is in danger of extinction. According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), only 2,000 to 2,500 of them live in a limited area of ​​West Africa. They are listed on Appendix II of the Washington Convention and are protected worldwide, and there are 13 animals in captivity in Japan, including the newly born baby.