HONOLULU — The Honolulu Zoo is excited to welcome Vitani and Little Bit, two female warthogs who will join the zoo’s longtime resident male warthog, Lenny.
Vitani is seven years old, and Little Bit is nine. The pair arrived today from The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited facility in California. They will join Lenny, a 16-year-old male who has lived at the Honolulu Zoo since the passing of his longtime mate, Pua, in 2021.
Lenny previously played an important role in the AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP), producing 13 offspring with Pua. Several of those offspring have gone on to have young of their own, making Lenny a grandfather. The zoo does not plan to breed Lenny at this time, and Vitani and Little Bit will serve as companions.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Vitani and Little Bit to the Honolulu Zoo,” said Jacqueline Peeler, Assistant Director of the Honolulu Zoo. “Their arrival brings new energy to the zoo and provides companionship for Lenny.”
The safe transport of Vitani and Little Bit to Oʻahu was made possible through a partnership with Pacific Air Cargo. The Honolulu Zoological Society supported the effort by coordinating the donation and providing accommodations for the animal care team from The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.
“Transporting animals to Hawaiʻi requires careful planning and strong partnerships,” said Laura Debnar, General Curator at the Honolulu Zoo. “We appreciate Pacific Air Cargo’s support in ensuring a smooth and stress-free journey for Vitani and Little Bit.”
Vitani and Little Bit will remain behind the scenes during their quarantine period and are expected to make their public debut in the coming months.
For more information about the Honolulu Zoo and its animals, visit www.honoluluzoo.org.
For additional photos & video of Vitani and Little Bit’s arrival. Click here.
—PAU—
