taronga zoo

I'm not quite sure what makes Pygmy Hippopotamuses so cute — their small size or seriously squinty expressions. Take Kambiri, for example, she's giving the camera the stink eye like the man behind it is about to steal her leaf . . . that's also bigger than her head. Don't worry, lil girl, all eyes are on you, not the foliage!
Born in Sydney's Taronga Zoo — also the home to that superstar pygmy hippo named Monifa in 2008 — Kambiri is the first babe being raised by her birth mama in over 20 years!

See more cuteness of Kambiri and Petre when you read more

Welcome Gan Ju! This baby boy is the first male Francois Langur to be born in Australia and the brother of last year's little girl, Elke!

He's special in more ways than one as he's the first babe to not be abandoned by his mom — see how loving Saigon is now from his secure spot? In case you were wondering where his lighter hue comes from, these leaf-eating monkeys get darker with age starting at an orange-y apricot before growing out into a rich chocolate hue. All this food (color) talk is making me hungry to see more cuteness so check out his cuddle time with mom in the gallery below!

These lil babes don't look much like Taz twinsies, but they are the real Tasmanian Devil deals! As the world's largest meat-eating marsupials, the famed cartoon character was inspired by the actual animals' ravenous appetites.

The babes are getting health checks, paternity tests and microchipped at Sydney's Taronga Zoo in hopes of protecting and checking up on this endangered species in the wild. The joeys look rather expressive (and so squirmy!) — what handfuls!

See more pictures of all four when you read more

A soccer playing elephant?! Now I've heard of everything. Although his version is more of a dribble, dribble, smush, Luk Chai looks rather cute no matter what he's doing.

This baby Asian Elephant was born last month at Sydney's Taronga Zoo — home to another adoro pachyderm, hippo Monifa — and is already drawing quite the crowds. Keepers have equipped the babe with this ginormous soccer ball, but he needs a bit more practice to get the hang of the game. World Cup 2010 for Australia, perhaps?

Check out his kicking and climbing skills, along with bonus rope work and flower snacks, when you read more

It's official — I'm a fan of the Taronga Zoo's latest babe. Born on the Fourth of July (literally), the unnamed calf is already stumbling around his enclosure. Since the temps in Sydney have been averaging in the 50s, and he's just a few days old, he'll remain inside a special heated barn until he can go to the zoo's Wild Asia public display with parents, aunties and pals. If you're still lacking inspiration to name this newbie, check out the pictures of him as he learns to walk.

I can think of a couple adjectives to describe this pachyderm so see for yourself and read more

Born to a former Bangkok street elephant, Thong Dee (and dad, Gung), this two-day-old babe is the first native-born elephant in Australia! Already weighing in at 220 pounds, all he's lacking is a name.

For his historic birth, Sydney's Taronga Zoo is offering a naming contest for the little one. First off, no monikers that are too close to his parents or aunties' (Porntip, Pak Boon or Tong Ma) names and pick one that suggests joy or happiness. To make it easier to come up with a native Thai name, they've got a translator website . . . which is crazy addictive (as I've just spent quite a while trying to come up with a clever suggestion).

See more piccys of the tiny calf below!