Newborn African Elephant, Pygmy Hippo Attract Lowry Park Zoo Visitors

Have you seen the newborn African elephant and pygmy hippopotamus at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, where a "baby shower" for the nonprofit facility's newest additions was held Saturday, Jan. 12?

A large crowd in pink shirts rushed the gates that day to take advantage of half-off admission to the zoo, where Zsa Zsa, the mother hippo, kept a watchful eye on her little girl, Zola. The duo stayed submerged in water for most of the morning, coming up for air occasionally.

Meanwhile, at the elephant exhibit, Mbali and her calf, yet to be named, roamed happily throughout the area.

Zola was born on Nov. 13, while the unnamed baby elephant was considered an early Christmas gift, arriving Dec. 23.

Zookeepers were on hand Saturday to answer questions about the newbies while masses of zoo-goers attempted to snap photos of the infants.

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What To Know About Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo

• Lowry Park Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

• Its Species Survival Plan projects include threatened and endangered species and species of special concern.

• The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. 

• For more information and ticketing, visit Lowry Park online.

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Have you seen Zola, the newborn African elephant? Have a great name to suggest for Mbali's calf? Let us know in the comment box below. If you've snapped a photo, care to share it with Brandon Patch readers? Use the contriutor tab above.

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This notice originally appeared in the Tarpon Springs Patch.