Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Shows Off Hoglets

The first-ever red river hoglets have been born at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, officials said Thursday. The hoglets are healthy, growing, and spending their days learning how to root and wallow, the zoo said.

The pair, a boy and a girl, was born the morning of March 23. You can now see them in the zoo’s exhibit in African Rift Valley on sunny days when the temperature reaches at least 50 to 60 degrees.

The hoglets weigh in at a little over two pounds and are already devouring fresh vegetables, along with their mother?s milk, the zoo said.

Mom, Ari, and dad, Huey, are first-time parents. Like any new mom, Ari was quite protective at first. Huey was introduced to his new family gradually, but is enjoying every moment of fatherhood.

In the wild, dad helps raise the hoglets, and Huey is taking to the job like a pig in mud.

In keeping with zoo tradition, the hoglets won?t be named for 30 days. The waiting period also gives keepers the chance to get to know the hoglets a little better.

Red river hogs are native to the forests of Africa.