LOOK – Denver Zoo’s baby Cape Buffalo goes viral for being so ugly that it’s cute
May 28, 2026, 4:31 PM
The Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance has a new baby, and the internet has feelings about his face.
A male Cape buffalo calf was born May 11 to 18-year-old mother Rain and first-time father Boots, making him a rare addition to one of the few Cape buffalo herds in a zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Animal care specialists who were on duty around the clock noticed Rain showing signs of labor and quickly moved her indoors to monitor her. She delivered a healthy calf later that evening, and both mom and baby have been doing well since, according to the zoo.
Then the photos hit the internet — and the comments section went sideways in the best possible way. The calf, who has not yet been named, sports the signature Cape buffalo newborn look: a tuft of reddish-brown fuzz, oversized floppy ears, knobby legs that seem to belong to a different animal, bottom teeth so big they stick out of his mouth and a wide-eyed stare that can only be described as confused about being alive. The zoo itself leaned into the commentary, posting a photo to social media this week with a poll asking followers: “How would you describe our new Cape buffalo calf? A) So silly B) So cute C) So goofy D) All of the above.” The reactions have been pouring in, with fans calling the calf everything from “adorable” to “so ugly I love him” — the highest compliment the internet can bestow.
It’s a familiar dynamic for the Denver Zoo. In 2018, the birth of Tonks, a baby aye-aye with beady yellow eyes, a mostly bald face and skeletal fingers, sparked a similar “ugly-cute” debate that drew national coverage. The zoo has never been shy about embracing its less conventionally attractive residents.
Cape buffalo are native to southern and eastern Africa and can grow to nearly 2,000 pounds as adults. They are considered one of Africa’s most dangerous large animals, part of the continent’s famed “Big Five.” For now, though, this one is just a wobbly baby stealing hearts from behind a face only a mother — and a ton Instagram users — could love.
The calf may soon be visible to visitors in the outdoor habitat, weather permitting. The zoo is open daily; tickets and information are at denverzoo.org.
