ABQ babies celebrated Mother’s Day

1.6.2023 – Story and photos by Molly Merrow

ABQ Biopark Zoo in Albuquerque, New Mexico, welcomed the community to a big picnic and music festival for Mother’s Day. It was a beautiful day, with jazz, a jug band, a mariachi band, and lots more. And of course everyone wanted to see the babies of ABQ.

Fun-loving Matilda the Hippo will be two years old on July 19. She is the daughter of Karen and Moe, and sister of Timothy of San Antonio Texas, and of Biopelo (Boopie) of Dallas Texas. Biopelo is the new mother of daughter Karo.

Matilda’s mother Karen was on birth control, but Matilda came along anyway and she is one of the most popular residents of ABQ Biopark.

She is a playful little girl. One one of the days I visited, she was given a yellow ball which made it look like Matilda was playing with the sun. Sometimes Mother Karen played with the ball too.

Matilda likes to play with the ball under the bridge, always trying to get that ball into her mouth, but the ball is just too big..

At 2 p.m. every day, the three hippos line up for afternoon snack time of lettuce and more. Daddy Moe always, always his his mouth open, ready for whatever fruit or vegetable the keeper has. Matilda, setting herself up between her parents, has cute little begging ways, and always gets her share.

Matilda is often independent, but still likes to trail around after her Mother Karen, especially on Mother’s Day.

It was Mother’s Day, but equally important, it was the day before Bulan’s first birthday, so there was a big celebration in the Sumatran Orangutan habitat. Keepers had set up a campground, complete with tents and signs for S’mores and boxes. There were Mother’s Day flowers for Mama Sarah too. And a big sign for Bulan’s birthday party. His name means is Indonesian for Blood Moon, for he was born during a lunar eclipse on May 15, 2022.

Aunt Rubi, who actually isn’t related but acts like a crazy auntie, ended up wearing the “tent.”

Bulan partied on by playing with the fake flowers and boxes.

Bulan, at one year old, is quite independent, and spends a lot of time away from his mom, getting used to the idea of climbing the vine. He likes to sit at the bottom of the vine and tug on it. Soon he will be strong enough to climb.

And then there is cuddle time for mom Sarah, up on the platform.

Bulan is the fifth baby for Sarah and her mate Tonka. Older sister Pixel still lives with group.

And in the Gorilla yard, there is a baby too. Machika was born August 10, 2022 in the middle of a desert monsoon, and her name means “born in the rainy season.” Her parents are Samantha and Kojo.

Machika is kept close by her mother Samantha at this stage, for she is only 9 months old, but starting to explore a bit.

There were Mother’s Day flowers for Samantha too on this special day for a special mom.

I found a doting Canada goose mom too, with her little flock.

Best wishes to all the moms in all the zoos.

Molly Merrow