Meet Haggis: An Incredibly Rare Pygmy Hippo Born at Edinburgh Zoo

A uncommon pygmy hippo calf, named Haggis, was born at Edinburgh Zoo on October 30, marking an essential addition to the inhabitants of this endangered species. Weighing only a few kilograms, this tiny calf is already displaying a full of life character. According to Jonny Appleyard, Hoofstock Team Leader at Edinburgh Zoo, Haggis is “doing rather well to this point” and her early interactions have thrilled the zookeepers. However, the pygmy hippo home will stay closed for the subsequent month to make sure the calf’s growth in the course of the vital early days of life.

Pygmy Hippos at Risk of Extinction

Pygmy hippos, native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, face vital threats to their survival. With fewer than 2,500 remaining within the wild, the species is at present categorised as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Habitat destruction and searching are the primary reasons behind their decline, particularly in nations like Liberia the place they’re focused for bushmeat. Conservation efforts are underway in varied nations, and every start in captivity, resembling Haggis’s, gives an important alternative to boost public consciousness concerning the pressing want for cover.

Global Interest in Pygmy Hippos Following Viral Fame

The reputation of pygmy hippos surged lately when a hippo named Moo Deng from Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo grew to become a social media sensation resulting from her cute look. Edinburgh Zoo’s new arrival, Haggis, now serves as an envoy of kinds for her species, connecting guests with conservation messages concerning the challenges pygmy hippos face of their pure habitat.

Haggis’s mother and father, Otto and Gloria, had beforehand welcomed one other calf, Amara, in 2021. Amara was later relocated to ZSL London Zoo as a part of a European breeding initiative to strengthen genetic variety inside captive pygmy hippo populations.