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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.

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