Tembikai, meaning watermelon, was born on January 29th of this year.  He weighed 13 lbs at birth and is now up to 30 lbs. He is a Malaya tapir which is an endangered species.

Read about the Malaya tapir’s relative the Brazilian tapir at Animal Fact Guide.

Every March 1st since 1972 has been declared National Pig Day in the United States. The day was devised by sisters Ellen Stanley and Mary Lynne Rave to elevate the status of pigs and acknowledge their role as intelligent and domestic animals.

At many locations throughout the country pigs are the focus of a variety of events, from pig parades to showings of pig-friendly films like Babe.

So take a moment today and think of all the wonderful pigs in the world!

To read more, visit the LA Times.

Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida has welcomed a baby tamandua, or lesser anteater, to their animal family. The baby was born recently and will cling to his mother back until he is able to walk and find his own food. These anteaters are native to Mexico and South America, living in forests. Anteaters like this will eat up to 9000 ants a day! They use their sharp claws and long tongue to catch their tasty treats.

Read more at DiscoveryCove.com

Baby Akili was born at the Memphis Zoo on Thursday, expanding the zoo’s giraffe family to seven. Although born outside in public view, Akili will be kept inside until the weather warms. She was 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 125 lbs at birth.

Her name is Swahili for intelligent.

Read more about baby Akili at The Commercial Appeal.

Read more about giraffes at Animal Fact Guide.

The Minnesota Zoo has welcomed a female gibbon to their zoo. Born about three weeks ago, the gibbon was not being cared for by her mother. She is a white-cheeked gibbon, a critically endangered species.

Our favorite part of this video is the sounds that the baby makes. She sounds like R2D2.

Dokkoon, an Asian elephant residing at the Melbourne Zoo in Australia, gave birth on Saturday to female baby elephant. This marked the first time a female Asian elephant has been born in Australia. The baby pachyderm was also the first elephant born at the Melbourne Zoo.

Baby Elephants first steps from Zoos Victoria on Vimeo.

For more info, see:
Zoos Victoria
The Age

Five rare white tiger cubs have been born in the Metropolitan Zoo in Santiago, Chile. The zoo is currently planning a large, grassy enclosure for the cubs and their parents, Luna and Pampa.

White tigers get their color from a genetic mutation that affects their fur pigment.

For more, visit The L.A. Times.

There are roughly 2000 Grevy’s zebras left in the wild, earning them a spot on the endangered species list. Add to that number one more as the Denver Zoo welcomes a baby male zebra.

The baby, named Lakota, was born on November 27th. He is the third Grevy’s zebra to ever be born at the zoo.

Grevy’s zebras differ from other zebras in their appearance. Gervy’s zebras have thinner stripes and white stomachs. They also have longer legs and larger, rounder ears.

In the wild they are found in Kenya and Ethiopia.

For more, visit The Denver Channel.

The Daily Telegraph, a newspaper based in London, has released its annual slideshow of cute animals.

Visit the Telegraph to see them all.

Zoo Boise has announced the birth of a female cotton-top tamarin.  She is the first tamarin to be born at the zoo.

The baby is currently being hand-raised by humans as her mother lacks the skills to care for her. She is fairly weak and susceptible to human disease so she will not be able to be viewed by the public for several months.

Once the tamarin is placed on display at the zoo, there will be a naming contest.

Visit Zoo Boise for more.