Finn, an 8-year-old Red River hog at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, became a first-time mom last week. Keepers were greeted by a brand-new baby Red River hog in the early hours of Thurs., Aug. 29. Although first-time dad, Gus, and Finn had been seen breeding, keepers were not certain a baby was on the way.
“It may seem strange to some, but Red River hog babies are some of the cutest in the whole animal kingdom with their striped markings, tiny statures and energetic behaviors,” Amy Tuchman, senior keeper in African Rift Valley says. “Little one and mom seem to be doing great. We’re seeing a lot of nursing, napping and activity from the baby. It likes to climb over Finn’s face, and we’ve seen it jumping and running when it gets little bursts of energy. Finn is really sweet and patient with it.”
The little hoglet is a bit smaller than its mom’s snout. Red River hoglets are often described as having a watermelon pattern when they’re born. Just like adult Red River hogs, hoglets have the signature bright orange coats, but the babies also have brown and white stripes that run the length of their bodies, along with little brown and white spots all over. Those stripes and spots usually fade at around six months of age, but act as important camouflage in the meantime.
Finn’s keepers say she has embraced her hoglet with all of the key behaviors they want to see from a first-time mom. The baby is nursing regularly, Finn nuzzles and cleans the baby, and the baby gets ‘zoomies’ in the comfort of their indoor den.
Because Finn and the hoglet have been bonding well, animal care staff are unlikely to handle the baby unless there’s a medical need. The baby’s sex has not been identified and likely won’t be for another several weeks. In keeping with CMZoo tradition, the baby likely won’t be named for at least 30 days.
Finn came to CMZoo earlier this year on a breeding recommendation with Gus, CMZoo’s 2-year-old male Red River hog. Red River hog fathers, unlike many species, are active in raising their young. For now, Finn and baby will get time to bond alone, and Gus will join the family once Finn shows she’s comfortable.
Follow CMZoo’s social media channels for updates on when Finn and the hoglet will make their debut in public spaces.
About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s mountain Zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. In 2024, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #5 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #2 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s goal to help guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Since 2008, CMZoo’s Quarters for Conservation program has raised more than $5 million dedicated to frontline conservation efforts around the world. Of the 237 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just a few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.
Two redheaded charmers from Texas arrived in African Rift Valley earlier this month, complete with gorgeous ear tassels and pointy hooves. While they complete their routine quarantine period behind the scenes, Red River hog sisters, Rey and Finn, are cooing their way into the hearts of their keepers. Hopefully, the Zoo’s male Red River hog, Augustus, will be just as excited to welcome them to the family.
After their quarantine, they’ll start exploring more spaces and getting to know 17-month-old Augustus, known as “Gus” around here. In the meantime, keepers are getting to know the girls.
“They’re gorgeous animals, and these two are extremely vocal,” said Lauren Phillippi, lead animal keeper in African Rift Valley. “They have been making quiet, content ‘cooing’ sounds to each other and to us when we approach them. They like to do things together, like forage, solve puzzle feeders, roll around in the hay and snuggle while they sleep.”
The 7-year-old sisters were born in the same litter at another zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Rey is the leader of the two, and she is a bit bigger than Finn. Rey has darker orange-brown coloration compared to Finn’s much lighter white-and-brown face. Finn is a little more cautious. Being bold and outgoing, Rey is quick to approach keepers, wasting no time to communicate that she is a big fan of belly rubs.
“We quickly noticed how tactile these two are,” said Phillippi. “They enjoy enrichment that requires a lot of motor skills, and they like to get scratches from keepers. Especially Rey.”
Keepers use wooden back scratchers and their hands to give Rey the tactile interaction she likes. Just a few seconds into a scratch session, 165-pound Rey gives an enthusiastic lean and a floor-shaking plop onto her side. She knows how to give keepers every opportunity to scratch her sides, belly and back. Her care team is happy to oblige.
“We’re using this time to develop relationships with them,” said Phillippi. “We want to build that rapport and make sure they know that they’re going to live with choice and control here.”
Finn and Rey are already willingly approaching keepers and staff from behind a protective barrier. They’re also taking training treats well and moving to different spaces when asked. Next, keepers will work on target training and then more complex voluntary behaviors that allow them to care for the girls.
The big question: when will the sisters meet Gus? Finn and Rey are used to sharing space with other hogs, as is Gus. Once the sisters have completed quarantine, the team will introduce the group with a protective barrier between Gus and the girls. Then, based on the hogs’ behaviors toward each other, they’ll move towards sharing space without barriers between them.
The goal is for all three hogs to live together full-time. Red River hogs are social animals, often living in groups, and Finn and Rey came to CMZoo on a breeding recommendation with Gus. At 17 months old, Gus is approaching the age when Red River hogs typically reach reproductive maturity. Red River hogs’ usual breeding season ends in April, so depending on their interactions and Gus’ maturity, hoglets could be here as soon as this summer. More likely, their first chance at reproducing will be next year.
If the hogs eventually welcome babies, all three would be first-time parents, making their genetics valuable to the Red River Hog Species Survival Plan and the population in human care.
When Finn and Rey are ready to explore spaces where guests can see them, the Zoo will provide updates.
In the coming weeks, 9-year-old female Red River hog, Zena, will head northeast to Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York. Her relocation supports the Red River Hog Species Survival Plan (SSP), with Zena moving as a companion animal.
To prepare her for the move, her care team has been refreshing her voluntary crate training, as Zena will be fully awake for the trip. Zena came to CMZoo from another zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in 2019, and quickly adapted to her new home with the support of her team. For this move, her keepers will also work with her new care team at Rosamond Gifford Zoo to make Zena’s transition go smoothly again.
“She was an excellent mother during her time with us here, and I know she’ll be a great companion and ambassador for her species in her new home,” said Brooke Powell, animal keeper in African Rift Valley at CMZoo. “We’ll miss her, but this gives even more people an opportunity to fall in love with Zena and Red River hogs as a species.”
Zena, whose keepers describe her as expressive, vocal, sweet and commanding, had two hoglets, Augustus and Pinto, with CMZoo’s late male Red River hog, Huey. Huey’s genetics were extremely valuable to the assurance population in human care, because his family line was relatively rare.
Now, it’s young Augustus “Gus” who has the breeding recommendation. Zena and Huey’s 1-year-old son, Gus, will stay at CMZoo. He’ll soon meet his first-ever potential mates: two 7-year-old Red River hog sisters from another AZA-accredited zoo.
“Gus is not quite mature enough to breed with the incoming sisters yet, but we’re hopeful they’ll be a good match when he’s ready in the next year or so,” said Powell. “Gus is used to living with other hogs, so we’re excited we can welcome the girls and introduce them as companions along the same timeline that Zena will be leaving.”
CMZoo has long supported the Red River Hog SSP by serving as a breeding facility. CMZoo has welcomed six healthy hoglets to the world since 2008, when Huey moved to the Zoo.
“It’s always exciting to contribute to a species by welcoming babies, but Red River hoglets are especially adorable,” said Powell. “They have these really cute brown-and-orange striped coats and tiny pink hooves, and they’re known for having zoomies almost nonstop.”
The African Rift Valley team is keeping their fingers crossed that Gus will help bring even more hoglets into the world in the coming years. According to the International Union for the Conservancy of Nature (IUCN) Red List, Red River hogs’ wild populations are decreasing. Guests who would like to wish Zena well on her travels to New York should plan to visit her when she’s outside with Gus in the Red River hog yard on warm and sunny fall days, before mid-November.
Tiny pink hooves, a dazzling orange coat with brown stripes and spots and a big personality. We must be talking about our newest addition: a 2-week-old Red River hoglet that is zooming its way into our hearts.
“This little baby has been growing in leaps and bounds over the last two weeks, and its energy level is doing the same,” said Lauren Phillippi, lead keeper in African Rift Valley. “We’ve seen lots of zoomies and playful antics, like running around mom’s feet, getting bursts of energy and making good use of those little legs.”
The little one has been seen jumping over logs, burrowing into soft piles of hay and excitedly bouncing between the rooms in its indoor space. When baby isn’t on the move, it is nursing well and snuggling with mom, 8-year-old Zena. It has also been picking up pieces of Zena’s produce, like lettuce and broccoli, with its mouth and tossing them aside. The baby will continue to nurse for at least the next few months.
Since the hoglet and Zena are doing well, staff haven’t needed to examine the baby up-close, which means its sex has not been confirmed. There are no immediate plans to name the baby, but fans can keep an eye on CMZoo’s social media channels for updates.
“We’re giving them lots of time to bond, which is really important for mom and baby,” said Phillippi.
When a new baby joins the CMZoo family, keepers rely on the trusting relationships they have developed with the mothers. Animal care teams can observe the baby and encourage it to move with Zena into different spaces – so they can clean spaces and feed Zena, for example – because Zena feels comfortable with the team. Encouraging a baby into a different space is usually dependent on whether the mom wants to move because young animals, like this hoglet, usually instinctively follow their mothers.
Zena is calm around the baby and approaches keepers from behind a barrier with baby in tow. The hoglet has been seen several times curiously exploring its indoor den a few feet away from Zena, then hurriedly rejoining her side. Next, the team will observe Zena’s level of comfort with taking the baby outside, where guests could see it. There’s no exact timeline in place, so for now, the baby and Zena will remain in their behind-the-scenes indoor den.
The little hoglet is eating well and growing quickly. Red River hoglets are often described as having a watermelon pattern when they’re born. Just like adult Red River hogs, hoglets have the signature bright orange coats, but the babies also have brown and white stripes that run the length of their bodies, along with little brown and white spots all over. Those stripes and spots usually fade in about six months, but act as important camouflage in the meantime.
This is Zena’s second hoglet, after Pinto, who was born at CMZoo in April 2021. Zena came to CMZoo on a breeding recommendation with Huey, CMZoo’s 15-year-old male Red River hog. Huey has been a great father to Pinto, and four others. Red River hog fathers are active in raising their young. For now, Zena and baby will get time to bond alone, while Huey and Pinto spend time together in their indoor and outdoor spaces.
Guests can visit Huey and Pinto in African Rift Valley now. Follow CMZoo’s social media channels for updates on when Zena and the hoglet will make their public debut.
Oh, babies! It’s been a busy spring at CMZoo. Get up-close for a check-in with our Spring 2021 babies! Join keepers for a gender and name reveal with our ring-tailed lemur born on April 26, and an update on its twin cousins born July 11. Next, hear how our Red River hoglet is getting along and already participating in voluntary training with its keepers. Finally, see how red-necked wallaby, Gidgee’s, pouch joey is growing and starting to show its hairless little face in Australia Walkabout.
Come behind the scenes to see how our one-month-old Red River hoglet is doing! It (we haven’t identified the baby’s sex yet) is growing and bonding well with first-time mom, Zena. African Rift Valley Keeper, Brooke, is here to give you an update on this very energetic little hog, and to answer the big questions:
- Is it a boy or a girl?
— We don’t know yet. The baby is doing so well, we haven’t had a need to interrupt its bonding time with mom. - What’s it’s name?
— We don’t have concrete naming plans yet, but we’ll keep you posted. - When can we see it?
— We’re working on introducing the baby, Zena and Huey. We’ll definitely let you know as soon as you can visit this cutie at #CMZoo.
Learn more about how this young one is warming up to its keepers, zooming around and testing new foods. Guests can see dad, Huey, in the Red River hog yard near the giraffe barn, which he shares on rotation with Ari, our 19-year-old female Red River hog.
SPRING HAS SPRUNG WITH THE ARRIVAL OF A RING-TAILED LEMUR BABY AND A RED RIVER HOGLET – Two first-time animal moms at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo welcomed their babies just in time for Mother’s Day this year! Rogue, a ring-tailed lemur, gave birth on Monday, April 26, and Zena, a Red River hog, welcomed her little piglet on Saturday, April 24. Both moms and babies seem to be bonding and doing well.
Rogue, an 8-year-old ring-tailed lemur, is the proud mom of a fluffy 4-day-old baby, with the same markings as adult lemurs – complete with mini tufted ears and a long black-and-white striped tail. The baby’s sex has not been identified, and likely won’t be for several months. Because mom and baby are doing so well, keepers won’t intervene unless necessary.
The baby is showing signs it’s strong. Keepers say the baby even chooses to cuddle upside-down sometimes, with a firm grip on mom’s chest and stomach, as she moves around. Although lemur fathers don’t typically play an active role in raising their young, 3-year-old dad, Hercules, is curious about his baby. Keepers say Hercules has approached Rogue and the baby, and mom lets dad sniff the baby while she keeps it safe in her arms.
This is the first lemur born at CMZoo in 15 years, and the first baby of any kind born at Water’s Edge: Africa – CMZoo’s new exhibit for hippos, penguins, warthogs, pelicans, lemurs and more. Guests may catch glimpses of the baby on Lemur Island, located in the center of the indoor hippo pool, right away.
“We knew Rogue was expecting, and we are excited to welcome our first Water’s Edge baby to the world,” said Philip Waugh, lead Water’s Edge: Africa keeper. “When we came to work Monday morning, we could see Rogue carrying this tiny little baby around so delicately and being really attentive. It’s been exciting watching the baby, but it’s been even more special watching Rogue embrace this role so naturally. It’s amazing how she just knows what to do.”
Seven-year-old Zena’s keepers say she’s adapting to motherhood well, too. The Red River hog is also a first-time mom who seems to know exactly what to do, even though her 6-day-old youngster looks a lot different than she does. The baby’s sex has not been identified and likely won’t be for another few weeks.
“This is the cutest baby you’ve ever seen in your life,” said Brooke Powell, African Rift Valley keeper and Zena’s primary trainer. “It’s about the size of Zena’s snout, and it’s a beautiful orange-red color with white stripes and spots on its body. It’s so small, but it can move! It’s been super active, running and bouncing around. We love it.”
Zena came to CMZoo on a breeding recommendation with Huey. Thirteen-year-old Huey has been a great father in the past, when he welcomed one offspring in 2015 and three hoglets to CMZoo with his mate, Ari, in 2013. Red River hog fathers, unlike many species, are active in raising their young. For now, while Zena is protective of her little one, they’re giving mom and baby time to bond alone, and will plan to introduce Huey later.
“Zena is an awesome mom” said Powell. “She’s really protective, which is great, and she lets her keepers look at the baby. She makes sure baby is following her wherever she goes, too. They’re really snuggly with each other, and Zena is certainly making sure that little piggy gets plenty to eat.”
Guests won’t see the young Red River hog for at least a few weeks, while Zena and the baby bond together and stay nice and warm indoors. They will start to venture out when Colorado’s weather is a little more predictable.
About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s mountain Zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. In 2020, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #4 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #2 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s goal to help guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Of the 233 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just a few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.
Since Zena, our 6-year-old female Red River hog, joined us in 2019, African Rift Valley keepers have been working to introduce her and Huey, our 13-year-old male. The two hogs are getting along great, and keepers have even seen promising behaviors to support their breeding recommendation. Join Brooke, African Rift Valley keeper, for an update on these two.