TAMPA, Fla. -- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay welcomes a new member to its hippopotamus family with the birth of a calf, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2006. Weighing an estimated 65 pounds, this is the second hippo born at Busch Gardens. The first was Moxie, born in December 2001.

Moxie, who now weighs approximately 2,600 pounds, is the mother of the newborn. Due to hippos' protective nature of their young, zoological staff has not yet confirmed the sex of the baby.

Hippo cows give birth to a single calf, usually weighing between 60 and 110 pounds. Gestation lasts eight months and birth typically takes place in the water. Hippos can swim as soon as they are born and can nurse underwater.

By the end of the first year, a baby hippo will weigh approximately 550 pounds. When fully grown, hippos weigh between 3,000 and 7,000 pounds.

Park guests can get up-close views of the baby hippo by visiting Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's Edge of Africa habitat.