Baby hippo makes public debut at LA Zoo

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The first baby hippopotamus born at the Los Angeles Zoo in 26 years is making its public debut.

The healthy calf was born on Halloween, and visitors who happened to stop by the hippo exhibit were able to see a live hippo birth.

The mother, 10-year-old Mara, was on birth control, so the pregnancy was a surprise to zoo staffers. The father is 3-year-old Adhama, who came from the San Diego Zoo in June 2013.

Vets have not yet determined the newborn's sex. They say the baby is doing well and bonding with mom.

The public can visit the mother, father and baby on exhibit daily.