Lost World of Tambun Celebrates The Birth of Baby Hippo Jaguh

Following the marriage of Sunway Lost World of Tambun’s resident hippopotamus, Juwita, to a male hippo, Jiwang, in April last year, the family theme park today celebrates the birth of Jiwang and Juwita’s baby, in a ceremony called Majlis Berendoi, according to Malay Muslim customs.

The baby was born on 18th June 2022 and now weighs about 50 kilogrammes. Through a social media posting, fans were invited to name the bundle of joy. Among the 1,000 entries received, the name “Jaguh” won over the management’s heart. “Jaguh” is the Malay word for “champion” which befits the baby hippo’s strong character. He was already up and running mere hours after his birth.

Revealing the name of Jaguh: Sunway Theme Parks Executive Director Calvin Ho (R) and Department of Wildlife & National Parks Director General Dato' Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim (L) — Revealing the name of Jaguh: Sunway Theme Parks Executive Director Calvin Ho (R) and Department of Wildlife & National Parks Director General Dato’ Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim (L)

Sunway Theme Parks Executive Director Calvin Ho

“Jaguh is the first newborn hippo in our park, and we’re extremely thrilled about it because we’ve already fostered several other animals through our breeding programme previously, including the critically endangered kuang raya, capybaras, and caimans among many others. We’re confident that Jaguh will make an interesting addition to our wildlife family,” said Mr. Nurul Nuzairi, general manager of Sunway Lost World Of Tambun.

prize presentation to the winning entrant of naming the baby hippo

“This is another valuable collaboration with PERHILITAN and this would not have been possible without the titanic and continuous support of Dato’ Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, Director General of the Department of Wildlife & National Parks,” he added.

Today’s Majlis Berendoi for Jaguh was attended by the staff of Department of Wildlife & National Parks led by its Director General Dato’ Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, and Perak Director Tuan Haji Yusoff bin Shariff; LWOT team as well as invited guests.

Jaguh cupcakes and cookies at his Majlis Berendoi

Both Mama Juwita and Baby Jaguh are currently in a separate holding area to bond, while Papa Jiwang remains in his usual enclosure. Baby Jaguh will be making his first public appearance on National Day, so remember to make your way to Hippo Kingdom to catch a glimpse of Jaguh and his mom, Juwita.