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Warthog piglets born at Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta celebrates the first births to arrive in its African Savanna: a litter of warthog piglets born to Eleanor on April 13, 2021.

The three female piglets are the first offspring for Eleanor, 7, and father Hamlet, 2. Eleanor is exhibiting appropriate maternal behavior and is a protective mother. The piglets, who are not yet visible to visitors, will have an opportunity to continue bonding with Eleanor behind the scenes before meeting their father.

“We are thrilled to welcome warthog piglets to Eleanor and Hamlet and to our African Savanna,” said Jennifer Mickelberg, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation. “The African Savanna highlights the interconnectedness of all life. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate that connection than with new life.”

The piglets are the first to be born at Zoo Atlanta since the birth of Eleanor’s own litter to late parents Shirley and Vern in 2014. A relative newcomer to the Zoo himself, Hamlet arrived in October 2020 as a companion for Eleanor.

Native to sub-Saharan Africa, wild warthog populations are currently widespread but are in decline as a result of drought, desertification, and human-caused habitat loss and habitat fragmentation. Warthogs are highly resilient animals and are more adaptable to human activities than most of the other mammals that share their grasslands ecosystem.

The Zoo’s African Savanna features new and expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, meerkats, and southern white rhino. Zoo Atlanta is open daily with protocols and procedures in place to promote wellness, including timed ticketing; hand-sanitizing stations throughout grounds; and signage and other aids to encourage social distancing. Masks are required for ages 2 and up for general admission and all in-Zoo experiences. Learn more or plan a visit at zooatlanta.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
rdavis@zooatlanta.org
404.624.2812 – office
404.309.2238 – cell

Gavin Johnson
Public Relations and Communications Specialist
404.624.5980 – office
gjohnson@zooatlanta.org

About Zoo Atlanta
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include giant pandas, including Ya Lun and Xi Lun, the only giant panda twins in the U.S.; one of North America’s largest zoological populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include the all-new African Savanna, featuring new and expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, warthogs, meerkats, and rhinos; Savanna Hall, a state-of-the-art special event destination in the newly restored historic former home of the Atlanta Cyclorama; and the new Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Plaza. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.

Connect With Your Wild Side #onlyzooatl