MIAMI – Zoo Miami has a new arrival with a bright future.
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A female African warthog piglet named Piggy Sue was born on May 3 and is being hand-raised by animal care staff with the goal of becoming one of the zoo’s newest ambassador animals, according to a news release from zoo communications director Ron Magill Friday.
Her birth marks a first for her mother, Zoe, a 9-year-old warthog who came to Zoo Miami from the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in California.
Magill said Piggy Sue’s father, Beebop Wilson, is 10 and was born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. While Beebop has fathered piglets before, this is Zoe’s first offspring.
Because Zoe did not show the ability to care for her newborn, Zoo Miami officials said they stepped in to raise Piggy Sue by hand. Since then, the piglet has been thriving behind the scenes. She is bottle-fed every two hours and surrounded by enrichment toys like balls and plush animals to help with her development.
Magill said Piggy Sue is already making public appearances in the ambassador animal habitats near the Sami Family Amphitheater, though her time outside remains limited as she continues her training.
African warthogs, known to many through the character “Pumbaa” in Disney’s The Lion King, are native to sub-Saharan Africa.
Though not naturally aggressive, Magill said they use their tusks — larger in males than females — for defense and foraging. The “warts” on their faces are actually protective fatty tissue.
He said Piggy Sue is expected to make more frequent appearances as she grows and learns behaviors necessary for ambassador duties.
Visitors may catch a glimpse of her during weekend appearances at Zoo Miami.
