Hannah Shirley is not embarrassed about her age. The San Diego–based hippopotamusjust turned 52 years old. In honor of her birthday, the San Diego Humane Society threw the gorgeous hippo a very special themed birthday party fit for the queen that she is.
In a video shared to social media by the San Diego Humane Society, Hannah Shirley can be seen enjoying presents, cake, and games at her party. The adorable video has an equally cute caption:
“Fifty-two and feeling brand new. It’s not every day we get to throw a hippo-sized party, but when it’s Hannah Shirley’s birthday we have to go big. To honor the queen in the big (and most on-brand) way possible, the team at our Ramona Wildlife Center put together a Hungry Hungry Hippo celebration complete with colorful snacks, oversized toys and plenty of treats for the reigning champ herself.
As the oldest pygmy hippo in North America, Hannah Shirley continues to charm everyone she meets and she made sure to show off her signature hungry hungry enthusiasm all party long.”
“Happy birthday pretty girl,” commented one of Hannah Shirley’s fans. Another joked, “We are the same age.”
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The Life Expectancy of a Hippo
Hannah Shirley’s not one to bring up her age, but everyone else can’t stop talking about it. That’s because pygmy hippos generally live on average between 25–30 years old in the wild. At 52, Hannah Shirley is defying odds.
Hannah Shirley’s extended lifespan might have something to do with the VIP treatment she receives under the care of the San Diego Humane Society. After being rescued from a private backyard in San Diego County, Hannah Shirley now resides in a 13,000-square-foot habitat and spends her days getting spa-like back rubs, sprinkler treatments, and carefully prepared meals that support her health in her advanced age.
As one of only a few dozen pygmy hippos in managed care across North America, the young-at-heart hippo continues to be a welcome ambassador for her species and an example of how animals can thrive under kind and loving care.
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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Nov 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.