RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Metro Richmond Zoo is celebrating the arrival of its newest resident, a female pygmy hippopotamus calf born on December 9. This joyful event marks the third pygmy hippo born at the zoo within the past five years from mother Iris and father Corwin.
The calf, yet to be named, arrived following a seven-month gestation period. Zoo officials expressed their delight at welcoming the baby just before Christmas, emphasizing the rarity of such occasions. "Most people don’t get a hippopotamus for Christmas at all, so we feel lucky to have received two over the years," they remarked.
At her neonatal exam conducted five days after her birth, the newborn weighed 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms), offering assurance of her health. Typically, fully-grown pygmy hippos can weigh up to 600 pounds (270 kilograms), making the little one's early weight quite impressive.
Pygmy hippos, native to the swamps and rivers of West Africa, face significant conservation challenges, with only about 2,500 mature hippos remaining in the wild. Their solitary nature distinguishes them from their larger cousins, who often live in groups. Because of this, once Iris’ previous calves matured, they were relocated to other zoological facilities to continue the efforts of conservation.
The birth of this calf holds greater significance for species preservation as global efforts are being made to protect endangered animals. According to the zoo, the species faces threats due to poaching and habitat loss, making every birth pivotal for conservation.
Zoo officials are pleased to provide the mother and calf some privacy during this important bonding period. Currently, they are being kept in off-exhibit enclosures, allowing Iris to nurture her young one without disturbance. The mother hippo’s experience is noteworthy, as she is known to be very protective of her calves.
The adorable newborn exhibited natural instincts, moving around her indoor pool almost immediately after birth. "The baby’s natural instincts kicked in and she started moving around in the water immediately," stated the zoo.
Zoo visitors can look forward to meeting the calf once she and her mom transition back to the zoo’s indoor pool habitat. Until then, the facility continues to share updates on the calf’s progress, reinforcing their commitment to public education about conservation issues.
Previously, the zoo had celebrated the arrival of another female calf just last year on December 6, 2022. The consistent birth rates pose hope for the pygmy hippo population, as each newborn is seen as one step toward preserving the species. The rising awareness and the support of the community play integral roles, inspiring future conservation efforts.
With the pygmy hippopotamus often being overshadowed by its larger cousin, the zoo has taken it upon itself to educate the public about the species and its challenges. Pygmy hippos differ from common hippos not just physically but also behaviorally, residing alone or with one partner rather than forming large groups.
This thriving little community at the Metro Richmond Zoo reflects broader efforts to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity and the need to protect endangered species. The arrival of this calf is not only excellent news for the zoo but also serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to safeguard all forms of wildlife, especially those as endangered as the pygmy hippo.
Further supporting the pygmy hippo's conservation narrative, the zoo reports the species can live up to 55 years and are primarily nocturnal, making their habitats even more unique. This birth embodies hope for their future, and zoo officials hope it will inspire visitors to become advocates for wildlife conservation.
