Moo Deng fans will be ecstatic to hear that a new baby pygmy hippo has been born right here in Virginia. This week, the Metro Richmond Zoo announced the birth of a female calf.
Born on December 9, the new hippo is the third calf of parents Iris and Corwin. All three calves have been born in the last 4-and-a-half years. With this being Iris’ first birth in water, a few special zoo guests were able to witness the birth.
Five days after her birth, the calf weighed about 15 pounds. Pygmy hippopotamuses can weigh up to 600 pounds when fully grown.
Iris and the calf are currently living in an off-exhibit enclosure to help with the bonding process. Eventually, the two will move back to the indoor pool area for guests to visit. Known for living in solitary or in pairs, the other two calves have been transferred to other zoo facilities to continue efforts to conserve their species.
While the calf doesn’t have a name yet, the zoo has narrowed it down to four choices: Poppy, Juniper, Hammie Mae, and Omi. Voting for the final choice is now open and closes on December 31 at 2 p.m. The zoo will officially announce the calf’s name on New Year’s Day.
The Virginia zoo is the only place in the DMV to see hippos. Native to West Africa, Pygmy hippos are an endangered species with only 2,500 mature individuals living in the wild.
Feature image courtesy Metro Richmond Zoo
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