The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has announced the birth of an endangered pygmy hippo calf at Edinburgh Zoo. This arrival is a significant milestone for the species, classified as endangered due to habitat loss and hunting in the wild.
Jonny Appleyard, hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo said, “Haggis is doing really well so far and it is amazing to see her personality beginning to shine already. The first 30 days are critical for her development, so the pygmy hippo house will be closed for now to allow us to keep a close eye on mum and baby at this sensitive time.”
Pygmy hippos are native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily Liberia. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN) classifies the species as endangered, and due to habitat loss, it is estimated that just 2,500 remain in the wild.
Jonny added, “While Thailand’s Moo Deng has become a viral global icon, it is important to remember that pygmy hippos are incredibly rare. It is great to have our own little ambassador right here in Edinburgh to connect with our visitors and help raise awareness of the challenges the species face in the wild.”
In celebration of Haggis’s birth, RZSS has launched a prize draw campaign, offering the winner an exclusive pygmy hippo experience.
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