Adorable Newborn Pygmy Hippo Calf at Virginia Zoo Needs a Name – Vote Now!
A holiday miracle at a Virginia zoo – a baby pygmy hippo is here, and you can help choose her name! 🌐 #News #RichmondVA #Virginia #Crime
RICHMOND, VA – If there’s one Christmas song my husband Jack can’t get enough of, it’s “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” So, when we heard that the Metro Richmond Zoo welcomed a newborn pygmy hippo just in time for the holidays, Jack was all in for celebrating—and even more excited to help name the little one. Come on, Virginia, it’s time to give this new cutie a name!
A Holiday Surprise for the Metro Richmond Zoo
On December 9, the Metro Richmond Zoo celebrated the birth of a female pygmy hippo calf, just days before Christmas. Born after a seven-month gestation, this new arrival is the third calf from parents Iris and Corwin in the past 4.5 years, and the second to be born around the holiday season.
The birth occurred underwater, a rare and special occurrence for this species, though it is common for regular hippos to give birth in water. As Iris gave birth around 4:50 p.m., a few lucky zoo visitors were able to witness the moment along with many of the zoo’s keepers.
Growing Up Fast: A Healthy Start
Iris, an experienced and very protective mother, has been bonding with her newborn in a private, cozy enclosure away from the public eye. According to the zoo, the calf is “nursing and growing quickly.”
Just five days after her birth, a neonatal exam showed the calf weighed a healthy 15 pounds. Given that fully grown pygmy hippos can weigh up to 600 pounds, it’s clear that this little one has a lot of growing to do.
A Chance to Name the Newborn Calf
Now, here’s your chance to be part of this heartwarming story—fans of the zoo can vote on a name for the newborn calf. The options are Poppy, Juniper, Hammie Mae, and Omi, which means “water” in the West African Yoruba language. Polls are open until 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 31. So, if you’re looking for a unique way to ring in the New Year, why not help choose the perfect name for this adorable calf?
The pygmy hippo, native to the swamps and rivers of West Africa, is an endangered species, with fewer than 2,500 mature individuals remaining in the wild. Unlike their larger relatives, pygmy hippos are generally solitary or live in pairs. Iris and Corwin’s previous two calves were sent to other zoos to live with potential mates.
As the zoo continues to care for this rare and adorable addition, visitors can look forward to seeing the calf and her protective mom return to their indoor pool area in the near future. Ok, now I gotta go rip the ukulele out of my hubby’s hands – he’s singing the “Hippo” song again! LOL.
RELATED TOPICS: Animals | Virginia
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