Petre is just like any expectant mother – eating for two, taking it easy and enjoying the last few days before the birth. Except, of course, Petre is a pygmy hippopotamus.
Melbourne zookeepers performed an ultrasound on Petre on Tuesday as she nears the end of her seven month pregnancy. Her due date to give birth is around May 23.
As vets fussed over her, Petre chowed on some food and seemed nonplussed over the fuss her offspring will cause, as it will be the first pygmy hippo calf born at Melbourne Zoo in 33 years.
Zoo spokeswoman Judith Henke said vets saw the calf moving on the ultrasound and it is expected to weigh between two and three kilograms when born.
Even during her pregnancy, Petre has an "incredibly tolerant" nature, senior keeper Justin Valentine says. "She is really easy to work with. She comes into the night dens whenever we call her, she's still just as accommodating as ever".
Pygmy hippopotamus, which hail from the West African rainforest, are a critically endangered species, so a new member has staff particularly excited, Ms Henke says.
Petre, who hails from Sydney's Taroonga Zoo, has already given birth to three calves. The calf she is carrying will be the first offspring for dad-to-be, Felix.
In the lead-up to the birth the zoo has installed CCTV around Petre's enclosure, so keepers can monitor her day and night.
