Though her name is as Scottish as it gets, little Haggis is far from her native homeland.
Pygmy hippos are native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, especially Liberia. However, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are now only around 2,500 of these animals left in the wild.
The arrival of an endangered pygmy hippo at Edinburgh Zoo last month has sparked great excitement.
To ensure the safety and well-being of the mother and her newborn, the zoo temporarily closed the hippo house. In a message alongside a video of the calf shared on X, the zoo explained that the expert keepers would be closely monitoring the pair during this sensitive time.
The female calf, born on October 30, is the offspring of Otto and Gloria. The couple also has a daughter, Amara, born in 2021, who was relocated to London Zoo last year as part of a European breeding program aimed at protecting the endangered species.
“Haggis is doing great so far, and it’s wonderful to already see her personality starting to emerge,” said Jonny Appleyard, the hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, in a statement shared online.
“The first 30 days are crucial for her development, so the pygmy hippo house will remain closed for now to allow us to closely monitor both mother and baby during this sensitive period,” the zoo stated.
This news comes shortly after the rise to fame of Moo Deng, a pygmy hippo at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. Moo Deng, whose name means “bouncy pig” in Thai and refers to a popular chewy pork dish, has captured the hearts of millions worldwide since her keepers began sharing glimpses of her daily life after her arrival in July.
Jonny Appleyard also commented, “While Moo Deng has become a viral sensation globally, it’s important to remember that pygmy hippos are extremely rare. We’re fortunate to have our own little ambassador here in Edinburgh, helping us connect with visitors and raise awareness about the challenges this species faces in the wild.”