The Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia is celebrating the birth of a healthy female pygmy hippo calf, born on December 9, 2024. This exciting arrival marks the third calf for parents Iris and Corwin in less than five years, and their second just before the holidays. The birth is particularly significant given the endangered status of pygmy hippos in their natural habitat.
Pygmy Hippos: Small but Mighty
Pygmy hippos (Choeropsis liberiensis) are considerably smaller than their common hippo relatives (Hippopotamus amphibius). While adult common hippos weigh upwards of 3,000 pounds, pygmy hippos typically range between 400 and 600 pounds. Despite their smaller stature, pygmy hippos are still quite robust. The newborn calf at Metro Richmond Zoo weighed in at a healthy 15 pounds just five days after birth – about double the weight of an average human newborn. The calf appears to be thriving, nursing well, and growing rapidly.
Iris and her newborn, yet-to-be-named calf.A heartwarming image of Iris with her newborn pygmy hippo calf at Metro Richmond Zoo. Photo: Metro Richmond Zoo
A New Star is Born
The arrival of this charming calf is expected to generate considerable interest, particularly given the recent public fascination with baby zoo animals. From Pesto the penguin to Kirby the elephant, these adorable creatures capture hearts worldwide. This year has seen several pygmy hippo births make headlines, including calves born at the Attica Zoological Park in Athens and the Edinburgh Zoo. Thailand’s Moo Deng, another pygmy hippo calf, became an internet sensation.
Conservation Significance
The Metro Richmond Zoo expressed their excitement, stating, “Most people don’t get a hippopotamus for Christmas at all, so we feel lucky to have received two over the years.” For now, Iris and her calf, nicknamed “New Deng,” are bonding in a private, hay-filled enclosure. Eventually, the calf will be introduced to the zoo’s public indoor pool exhibit.
A baby pygmy hippo in an enclosure.The newborn pygmy hippo calf enjoys a comfortable and safe environment in its private enclosure. Photo: Metro Richmond Zoo
A Species in Need
Pygmy hippos are much less aggressive than common hippos, which are known to be dangerous to humans in the wild. Unlike their social common hippo counterparts, pygmy hippos tend to be solitary or live in pairs as adults. The zoo plans to eventually move the calf to another facility where she can find a mate and contribute to the species’ conservation.
Both hippo species face population challenges in their native Africa. However, the pygmy hippo’s plight is more dire, with an estimated 2,500 individuals remaining in the wild compared to over 120,000 common hippos. This calf’s birth is a crucial step in ensuring the species’ survival.
Name That Hippo!
The Metro Richmond Zoo has launched a public poll to choose the calf’s name from four options: Poppy, Juniper, Hammie Mae, and Omi. The poll closes on December 31, 2024, and can be found on the zoo’s website. This adorable new arrival represents hope for the future of this endangered species and offers a heartwarming story just in time for the holidays.
The zoo is actively promoting its newest star, inviting the public to participate in naming the calf and raising awareness about pygmy hippo conservation. This engagement highlights the important role zoos play in educating and inspiring action for endangered species.
