First pygmy hippo born at Melbourne Zoo in more than three decades

The first pictures of Melbourne Zoo's three-day-old pygmy hippopotamus have emerged, with zoo staff excited about the arrival that has been a long time coming.

Zookeepers watched the birth on Monday via CCTV, which made Felix the hippo a first-time dad.

It is mother Petra's fourth child, with zookeepers pointing out she has been "affectionate, so gentle and encouraging".

"Petra did a good job, wasn't exhausted, she was really strong. A relatively easy birth," Melbourne Zoo vet Sarah Frith said.

With bonding time so precious, zookeepers have not been able to handle the calf, but say pictures indicate it is most likely a boy.

Melbourne Zoo Director Kevin Tanner said the arrival has been keenly anticipated.

"The last time we had a baby pygmy hippo born at Melbourne Zoo was about 32 years ago, so it's been a long time between births," he said.

"It's a critically endangered species, it's very important to us."

The baby pygmy hippo is about four to five kilograms, and will put on half a kilogram in weight every two days.

If everything goes to plan, the newest resident will soon learn to swim and take to the water in the public enclosure in about two weeks' time.

As for a name, zoo staff believe something pointing to its West African roots would be an appropriate place to start looking.