A Pygmy Message From Our VP Of Conservation, Lee Ann Rottman

Written by Lee Ann Rottman, Vice President of Conservation

Hi Zoo Friends,

On Dec 1st, we were blessed with an adorable baby pygmy hippo and later we revealed that this little miracle is a baby girl.  Mom Zsa Zsa and calf are doing great – the baby girl has grown from the size of a loaf of bread to the size of a plump little watermelon.  She also has gained confidence and will now run into the pool by herself.  She is keeping her mom busy with her rambunctious ways but Zsa Zsa is an experienced mom and seems to take it all in stride.

A Pygmy Message From Our VP Of Conservation, Lee Ann Rottman - ZooTampa at Lowry Park

As the VP of Conservation, I have been asked a lot lately why is this birth significant.  When there is an adorable baby in front of you, it is often hard to think about her wild ancestors and what her birth means on a bigger scale for both the Zoo and her species.

Let me start by saying, Pygmy hippos are both rare and unique.  Pygmy hippos are found in interior forests of West Africa including the countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Ivory Coast.  As a shy reclusive species little is known about their habits in the wild.  It is estimated that only around 3,000 are left in the wild and due to rapid habitat loss this species is now considered endangered.

A Pygmy Message From Our VP Of Conservation, Lee Ann Rottman - ZooTampa at Lowry Park

So what does this mean? With such a small surviving population, steps are needed to help protect this species from vanishing.   Researchers in Africa are working hard to learn more about pygmy hippo behavior while also working with the local communities within and around its range to help protect this valuable species and habitat.  At the Zoo, our pygmy hippos are part of a Species Survival Plan that works to preserve this species in zoos and aquariums while also bringing awareness to the conservation needs of this species in the wild.

You are part of our zoo family, we want you to “ooh and awe” over our new baby girl because we are also excited and amazed by her.  However, we also want to connect you in a greater way.   Next week, our baby girl will finally get a name!

A Pygmy Message From Our VP Of Conservation, Lee Ann Rottman - ZooTampa at Lowry Park

While social media submissions have closed, there’s still time to help name the baby in the following ways:

  1. Adopt a hippo!  Every adoption package helps provide excellent care to our hippo family and helps the Zoo’s Conservation Fund support efforts to protect pygmy hippo in Africa. In addition, you can submit a name with every adoption package you purchase.
  2. Tampa Zoo friends, you can also submit a name at the Hyde Park Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops store located at 702 S Village Cir, Tampa, FL 33606. Voting at the store ends at 12:00 pm on January 7th.

A name will be randomly selected. We encourage you to keep it “G” and family friendly, bonus points for holiday-themed names! The name will be revealed at the Zoo on Monday, January 8 at 11:00 a.m. Our friends at Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops will be celebrating with a variety of delicious melon-flavored popsicles. While the baby is strictly nursing, Zsa Zsa, loves melons!

Commemorations

Please review our booking tips before continuing

Outside Food & Drinks Policy

ZooTampa at Lowry Park offers a variety of delicious food for guests at several restaurants and concession stands throughout, but we understand that guests may need to bring outside food for special dietary needs. Acceptable and prohibited food items are listed below. For the convenience of our guests, there is a picnic area located outside the park near the main parking lot.

 Acceptable Items
  • Bottled water (max 20oz bottle, sealed) one per guest
  • Small snacks for young children
  • Baby food/baby formula
  • Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep (limit one per child)
  • Pre-purchased empty ZooTampa souvenir cups
  • Any food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements
 Prohibited Items
  • Prepared or packaged food or meals
  • Alcohol
  • Glass or any open containers or water bottles filled with beverages
  • Hard-sided coolers of any size
  • Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep
  • Suitcases and soft-sided bags with wheels larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high

Prohibited Items

For the safety of our animals, guests and employees, the following items are not permitted to be brought into ZooTampa:

  • Any type of explosive or weapon
  • Knives or other sharp objects
  • Pepper spray
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Marijuana
  • Illegal drugs
  • Straws
  • Clothing likely to create a danger or disturbance
  • Any hazardous items or materials

The following items are also prohibited to avoid blocking of walkways and/or trip hazards:

  • Segways
  • Hover boards
  • Two-wheeled scooters
  • Self-balancing electric vehicles
  • Shoes with wheels
  • Drones
  • Hard-sided coolers of any size
  • Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep
  • Suitcases and soft-sided bags with wheels larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high

Please leave any unnecessary articles secured within your vehicle to expedite your entry into the park.

We reserve the right to deny entry to anyone not observing Zoo Rules.

Pay For A Day Tickets

With a new Pay For A Day, Rest of Year Free ticket – for a limited time – you get unlimited admission through December 31, 2023 including access to our seasonal event series. Some blockout dates apply — see below for details. Not valid with any other discounts.

When does my Pay For A Day ticket expire?

For a limited time, new Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free tickets are valid from the day of purchase until 12/31/2023 Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free tickets which were purchased prior to October 1st, 2022 are valid until 12/31/2022.

What are the blockout dates?

3/11/23 – 3/19/23
11/24/23 – 11/26/23
12/26/23 – 12/31/23

Can I purchase a Pay For A Day ticket on a blockout date?

Yes! You can purchase a Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free ticket for first-time use on a listed blockout date and have full access to the park on that day. Blockout dates apply to repeat visitation.

Can I use my Pay For A Day ticket on blockout dates?

If you already have your Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free ticket and wish to visit during a listed blockout date, please stop by the Zoo’s ticketing windows for alternate options:

  1. During blockout periods, Pay For A Day ticket holders have access to significantly discounted single-day tickets.
  2. For a limited time from the date of purchase, Pay For A Day tickets can be upgraded to a Zoo Membership (with no blockout dates).
I purchased a Pay For A Day ticket online. How do I get my actual ticket?

Bring a copy of your confirmation (or show the confirmation email on your mobile device) to expedite entry into the Zoo. At your convenience during your visit you can stop by the Tours & Guest Services kiosk located just inside the Zoo to print your physical pass. No need to stand in line at the ticket windows. Walk right in!
Still have questions? Email us or call (813) 935-8552 ext. 0.