Pygmy Hippo Calf Makes a Splash at Edinburgh Zoo

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: May 3, 2021 9:50 pm

A pygmy hippo calf has been born at the Edinburgh Zoo

Photo Credit: Edinburgh Zoo

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland have celebrated the birth of a pygmy hippo at their Edinburgh Zoo.

Mother Gloria and father Otto welcomed their calf, a female on Saturday April 17th 2021. At birth the calf weighed in at 5.4kg (11.9lbs) and currently weighs 8.4kg (18.5lbs).

A pygmy hippo calf has been born at the Edinburgh Zoo

Photo Credit: Edinburgh Zoo

Jonny Appleyard, hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said, “Our new arrival is doing really well and is growing stronger and more confident every day.”

“As she is still so young, we are limiting opening hours and numbers in our indoor viewing area to give the calf and mum Gloria some time to get used to visitors. The first 30 days are critical for her development, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on them both at this sensitive time and plan to name her in the coming weeks.”

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Pygmy hippos come from West Africa where their populations have been rapidly declining. This is the result of habitat destruction to support logging, farming and human settlement.

RZSS have been supporting the survival of the pygmy hippo. One of their main works has been to complete and publish the first ever genomic study of the species through the RZSS WildGenes laboratory.

A pygmy hippo calf has been born at the Edinburgh Zoo

Photo Credit: Edinburgh Zoo

Visitors to Edinburgh Zoo which has recently reopened to visitors may have the chance to view the pygmy hippo calf.

Jonny added, “It has been great to be able to welcome our wonderful visitors back to the zoo and hope it won’t be long before they can spot our little calf.”

“Every visit helps care for our amazing animals, like our pygmy hippos, and protects threatened species in Scotland and across the world.”