Pygmy hippo baby at Kansas Zoo refuses to leave pool until universal ‘mom stare’

Finally tonight here, the son refusing to get out of the pool for dinner until that look for mom. Tonight in Gddard, Kansas, outside Witchah at the Tangana Wildlife Park. A moment caught on camera that’s now been viewed worldwide an incredible 45 million times. Meet Mars, the endangered pygmy hippo who was born here at the zoo just 6 weeks ago. Just 3,000 of them remain in the wild. His care team weighing him and with him around the clock. His mom, Posie, caring for him, too. Mars climbing on the rocks, swimming, getting bigger every day. And in recent days, when it was time for Mars to stop playing and come have dinner, a moment that has now gone viral. So many parents can relate. His care team trying to coax him out of the water to come in for dinner. Little Mars does not want to budge. Laying down, seeming to hold on for one more swim, running away and out of his care team’s grasp. No luck. That worker Ellie sits down out of ideas. And then it’s mom to the rescue. Posie turning back, giving her son a look. What many are now calling the mom stare. And just watch. Mars takes notice. He immediately stops playing. That son gets out of the water and follows his mother in for dinner. The zoo documenting the remarkable and very relatable moment. And right here tonight, David, welcome to the Tangana Wildlife Experience. Matt Fouts, director of Tangana Wildlife Park. It’s incredible how just universal, you know, all different species seem to have that mom stare down. It’s hilarious to see Posie do that with Mars every day when he does not want to go inside. He loves outside and so it’s a pretty hilarious thing to see. And tonight, an invitation from that zoo to come see the hippo for yourself. We hope everyone will come out to Kansas uh to Tanganique Wildlife Park. Check him out. And so, you know, your mission to Mars actually is to Kansas. Well, thank you for the invite. That baby hippo. Now I’m messing with

David Muir has the story of the 5-week-old pygmy hippo who refused to leave the pool on a hot summer day, until his mother Posie came over and gave a look that many know all too well.

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41 comments

  7. That “Mom Stare” was adorable…little boy knows better than to balk when Mom gets that scowl and glares directly at him.
    Blessings to Mama/Baby Hippo and Zoo Staff Who Care for These Gigantic Creatures… 💕

  29. 😂🤣😂🤣😂👌when mom gives you that look you do what she wants 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 so lovely to see 👌♥️

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