Zoo Miami Welcomes Birth Of "Bizarre" Babirusa

By John MacLauchlan, CBS Miami

January 4, 2024

MIAMI - For the first time in its history, an endangered babirusa has been born at Zoo Miami.

According to the zoo, it was the first baby for nearly five-year-old Maggie, who came from the St. Louis Zoo, and Harry, a five-year-old male from the Audobon Zoo. The sex of the newborn is still undetermined as it remains isolated with its mother in a secluded holding area.

Of the over 20 different species of wild swine in the world, the unique babirusa is considered to be one of the most bizarre-looking. The word "babirusa," means "pig deer" in the Malay language. This is believed to come from the strange appearance of males whose tusks look like antlers growing on the top of their heads," according to the zoo.

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