Meet Haggis: the new pygmy hippo calf born at Edinburgh Zoo

A rare pygmy hippopotamus named Haggis was born at Edinburgh Zoo on October 30, marking a major addition to the population of this endangered species. Weighing just a few pounds, this little calf already has a lively personality. According to Jonny Appleyard, Hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, Haggis is “doing very well so far” and her early interactions have excited zookeepers. However, the pygmy hippo house will remain closed for the next month to ensure the calf’s development during the critical first days of life.

Pygmy hippos are threatened with extinction

Pygmy hippos, native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, face significant threats to their survival. With fewer than 2,500 individuals in the wild, the species is currently classified as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Habitat destruction and hunting are the most important primary reasons behind their decline, especially in countries like Liberia, where they are targeted for bushmeat. Conservation efforts are underway in several countries, and every captive birth like Haggis’s provides a crucial opportunity to raise public awareness of the urgent need for protection.

Global interest in pygmy hippos following viral fame

The popularity of pygmy hippos soared recently when a hippo named Moo Deng from Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo became a social media sensation due to her adorable appearance. Edinburgh Zoo’s new addition, Haggis, now acts as an ambassador of sorts for her species, connecting visitors with conservation messages about the challenges pygmy hippos face in their natural habitat.

Haggis’ parents, Otto and Gloria, had previously welcomed another calf, Amara, in 2021. Amara was later moved to ZSL London Zoo as part of a European breeding initiative to boost genetic diversity within captive pygmy hippo populations.