Berlin zoo thrilled with baby hippo

It is the ultimate in swimming lessons as Paula the baby hippo struggles to keep up with her mother Kathi.

The 18-day-old calf, Paula, had its first public outing at Berlin Zoo, as it swam alongside mother Kathi.

Although only a fraction of its mother's size, currently only 40kg, the zoo's newest resident is expected to weigh up to two tons when fully grown.

Until now the calf, Kathi's second baby, had only spent time with its mother, away from the other hippos.

She is the first hippo to born in Berlin in three years.

The cute calf is not the first animal to gain worldwide attention from the German zoo, following in the footsteps of Knut the Polar Bear.

Knut was made a star in 2006 when the zoo decided to hand-raise him after his mother abandoned him and some animal rights activists said it was better to let him die.

Last week it was reported that Knut could soon be evicted by the cash-strapped zoo because of financial woes.

Neumuenster Zoo, in the country's far north, is claiming guardianship of Knut under an agreement it says was struck when it loaned Berlin Knut's father, Lars, in 1999.

Although they cannot house Knut because they already have a polar bear with whom Knut would not get along, they are demanding Berlin show them architectural plans for a new enclosure and evidence he will properly be cared for. --Reuters