The San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center held a Golden Jubilee Celebration for Hannah Shirley, the oldest pygmy hippo in North America, as she reached her 50th birthday on Nov. 15. Staff and volunteers at the Wildlife Center, where Hannah lives presented her with a cake made out of a watermelon base, papaya frosting, spaghetti squash, sweet grain, and Purina Makers Horse Treat sprinkles.
Hannah Shirley is one of 15 wild ambassador animals at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center. She has lived there since 2002 when she was discovered in a residential backyard in Escondido. Hannah was rescued and transported to what was then The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center. San Diego Humane Society acquired the facility on Sept. 1, 2020, and has since assumed care of the animal. Hannah Shirley weighs about 500 pounds and lives in a 13,000-square-foot paddock, complete with a swimming pool and natural pond to play in. She enjoys a deservingly pampered life by Project Wildlife’s team that includes back rubs, sprinkler showers and lots of foodrelated enrichment activities.
“You can tell how loved Hannah Shirley is by our staff and volunteers just by looking at the details in this celebration,” said Andy Blue, campus director at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center in a press statement. “She’s treated like royalty every day, but reaching 50 years old is an incredible milestone for an animal who wouldn’t typically surpass 30 in the wild.”