Govind Tekale
In a rare occurrence for endangered species conservation, the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia announced the birth of a female pygmy hippopotamus on December 9, 2024. The calf, weighing 15 pounds at five days old, marks the third offspring for parents Iris and Corwin.
The birth presents a small but crucial advancement in preserving the species, with fewer than 2,500 mature pygmy hippos remaining in the wild. These solitary creatures, native to the swamps and rivers of West Africa, face mounting pressures from habitat destruction and poaching.
“Most people don’t get a hippopotamus for Christmas at all, so we feel lucky to have received two over the years,” zoo officials stated, referencing this birth and a previous December arrival in 2022.
The birth occurred at 4:50 p.m. in an indoor pool setting – a first for mother Iris. While common hippos typically give birth underwater, pygmy hippos can deliver either on land or in water. The newborn demonstrated immediate survival instincts, moving through the water moments after birth.
Jonny Appleyard, hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, stated, “It is important to remember that pygmy hippos are incredibly rare,” adding that having little ambassadors to connect with visitors can “help raise awareness of the challenges the species face in the wild.”
The mother and calf currently reside in a private enclosure for bonding. “Iris is an experienced mother and very protective of her calf. The calf is nursing and growing quickly,” zoo officials reported.
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The public will have an opportunity to name the newborn through an online poll closing on New Year’s Eve. Options include Poppy, Juniper, Hammie Mae, and Omi – the latter meaning “water” in the West African Yoruba language.
Unlike their larger relatives, pygmy hippos typically lead solitary lives or stay in pairs. This behavioral trait influenced the zoo’s previous decisions, as once Iris’s previous calves grew up, they were moved to other zoological facilities to live with future mates and continue contributing to the conservation of their species.
The Metro Richmond Zoo, Virginia’s sole facility housing hippos, continues its participation in international conservation efforts. This birth joins other recent successes, including Moo Deng in Thailand and Haggis in Scotland, demonstrating coordinated global efforts to preserve the species.
The newborn, who could grow to weigh 600 pounds, represents one step forward in protecting this endangered species, joining the fewer than 2,500 mature pygmy hippos remaining in their natural habitat.
