CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Virginia — The Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia announced the newest addition to their animal family, a baby pygmy hippo, just in time for the holidays.
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The newborn pygmy hippo was born on Dec. 9 after a 7-month gestation, according to a release from the zoo.
She was born to pygmy hippo parents Iris and Corwin. This is their third calf in 4.5 years, all girls.
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This is also the second calf to arrive before the holidays.
“Most people don’t get a hippopotamus for Christmas at all, so we feel lucky to have received two over the years,” the zoo said.
This birth was also special because this was the first time Iris gave birth in water.
According to the zoo, common hippos usually give birth underwater, but pygmy hippos can be born on both land and water.
Iris and the baby were moved to a separate enclosure so that they can have privacy to bond, the zoo said.
When they are ready, they will move back to the indoor pool area so that guests can see the baby.
The baby has yet to be named. At five days old, the baby weighed 15 pounds. Fully grown pygmy hippos can weigh up to 600 pounds, according to the zoo.
The pygmy hippo is an endangered species native to the swamps and rivers of West Africa and less that 2,500 mature pygmy hippos remain in the wild.
“This birth – like all of Iris’ births – plays an important role in helping protect this rare and elusive species,” the zoo said.
This newest pygmy hippo joins the ranks of Moo Deng at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand and Haggis at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland.
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