Pygmy Hippo Calf Named at the Edinburgh Zoo

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: May 18, 2021 12:29 am

Pygmy hippo calf, Amara explores her outdoor habitat at the Edinburgh Zoo

Photo Credit: RZSS

Edinburgh Zoo have announced the name for their pygmy hippo calf born on Saturday April 17th 2021 to mother, Gloria and father Otto. The calf is the only baby pygmy hippo currently in Scotland.

In a tribute to the native home of the calf in West Africa she has been named Amara. Meaning Grace her name was chosen by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

— AD —

People’s Postcode Lottery help to support the work of the Wildlife conservation charity including the RZSS WildGenes laboratory. Based behind the scenes at Edinburgh Zoo they performed the first ever genomic study of pygmy hippos.

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.

Pygmy hippo calf, Amara explores her outdoor habitat at the Edinburgh Zoo

Photo Credit: RZSS

Pygmy hippos are native to West Africa. Unfortunately their populations have been rapidly declining due to habitat destruction for logging, farming and human settlement.

Learn more about Pygmy Hippos here – Pygmy Hippo Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about the Edinburgh Zoo on their website – Edinburgh Zoo