06/12/2026
🎉 The secret is out! 🎉
The Hattiesburg Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of a spotted hyena cub born to mother Pili and father Niru. The single cub arrived overnight June 7th and both mother and cub are doing well.
Animal care staff are closely monitoring the pair and report that Pili is exhibiting strong maternal instincts and providing excellent care for her newest offspring.
“We are thrilled to welcome another hyena cub to the Hattiesburg Zoo family,” said Kristen Moore, Director of Wildlife for the Hattiesburg Zoo. “Pili has consistently proven herself to be an attentive and capable mother, and we are already seeing positive signs from both her and the cub. As always, we will continue to monitor them closely while allowing them the space they need to bond.”
Pili arrived at the Hattiesburg Zoo in October 2021 from the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo and was paired with Niru, who arrived earlier that same year. Since then, the pair has become the most successful breeding pair within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP) program for spotted hyenas. This newest arrival marks the fourth surviving cub born to Pili and Niru. Their first cub, Kito, was born in October 2022 and was later transferred to Rolling Hills Zoo in Kansas as part of the SSP breeding program. In October 2023, Pili gave birth to twin cubs, though only one, Cazimira (“Cazi”), survived. A third surviving cub, Kuma, was born in September 2024 and was transferred earlier this year to Turtle Back Zoo in New Jersey.
“The continued success of our hyena breeding program is a direct reflection of the expertise and dedication of our animal care team,” said Rick Taylor, Executive Director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, which operates the Hattiesburg Zoo. “The Hattiesburg Zoo has become a significant contributor to the long-term sustainability of spotted hyenas in accredited zoos across North America, and we are proud of the role our team plays in that effort.”
Spotted hyenas are Africa’s most common large carnivore and are the largest of the three hyena species. Females are dominant within hyena social structures and are known for their intelligence, strong social bonds, and complex communication. In the wild, hyenas typically produce litters of two to four cubs, making single-cub births less common.
Unlike most mammals, hyena cubs are born with their eyes open and with a full set of teeth. Early development is critical, and zoo staff will continue to carefully monitor the cub’s growth and milestones while minimizing disruptions to the mother-cub bond.
Initial examinations and routine health assessments were conducted this week. The cub registers a healthy weight of 1.75 kgs. The cub’s gender is determined through a blood test, and animal care staff will share this information following a blood draw and subsequent lab work.
Guests visiting the Hattiesburg Zoo may occasionally catch glimpses of Pili and her cub as they begin this important bonding period, though the family will remain primarily behind the scenes for the next week to ensure a safe and healthy start.
