Hip-hippo-hooray! Wildlife World Zoo announces winning name for baby pygmy hippo

PHOENIX — The Wildlife World Zoo just announced the winning name of its baby pygmy hippo: Jellybean.

The name, which earned the most votes in a public contest, was revealed on Tuesday after months of voting.

The 215-acre zoo is located at 16501 W. Northern Avenue in Litchfield Park.

Winning baby hippo name had stiff competition

Some of the other names in the running were Cadbury, Twixi and Taffy.

Zoo officials wanted a candy-themed name because her mother’s name is Lollipop and her father is named Tootsie Roll.

With the weather warming up, she is out on exhibit hanging out with her mother.

JELLYBEAN 🫘 for the win! pic.twitter.com/Uj2c5pzzFy

— Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park (@ZooWildlife) February 24, 2026

The best time to see Jellybean is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Jellybean’s birth hit the sweet spot for animal conservationists

The winning name happened to be the favorite of the zoo’s president, Kristy Hayden. She recently told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show that Jellybean’s birth is a major victory for conservation because it adds valuable genetic diversity to an endangered species.

There are fewer than 3,000 pygmy hippos in the world, according to the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. These endangered animals are unique because they spend more time on land than common hippos.

Since Arizona’s climate is similar to parts of West Africa, it provides an ideal environment for baby hippos like Jellybean to thrive.

The zoo plans to continue strengthening the species’ genetic diversity by partnering with another zoo that has an unrelated male hippo.

However, that’s far in the future, when Jellybean is older. For now, she’s enjoying her youth and charming visitors.

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