Earlier this month, the Metro Richmond Zoo in Moseley, Va., welcomed a rare pygmy hippo baby.
This Friday, the zoo shared footage of the growing hippo going for a swimming lesson with its mother, Iris. It was the new baby’s first time swimming.
“Iris showed her baby around the new area and then demonstrated how to enter the pool,” said the zoo. “The baby followed mom cautiously into the water. As normal, but remarkable nonetheless, the calf’s natural instincts kicked in and she started swimming immediately.”
According to the Zoological Society of London, pygmy hippopotamus, or Choeropsis liberiensis “is a shy inhabitant of the Upper Guinea Forest ecosystem of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire.”
There are only around 2,000 to 3,000 in the world and the pygmy hippo is classified as Endangered on the 2010 IUCN Red List. It is also identified as being an “Evolutionarily Distinct Species.”
“These declines result from habitat loss and hunting,” said the ZSL. “The fragmentation and destruction of the pygmy hippo's forest habitat due to logging, mining, agrobusiness expansion and farming activities have brought pygmy hippos into closer contact with humans and as a result they are at much greater risk of being hunted and disturbed by human activities.”
Virginia’s newest pygmy hippo was born Dec. 6 to Iris and Corwin. As of Friday, “the calf is becoming more comfortable with her new surroundings by splashing in the water and playing with the underwater currents,” said the zoo.
Shortly after the calf was born, she weighed 16 pounds. By mid-December, she weighed 24.2 pounds. Although their name indicates a diminutive size, fully-grown pygmy hippos can weigh up to 600 pounds. Their relatives, hippopotamus, can weigh 50 to 100 pounds at birth and grow to be 3,000 pounds, according to the San Diego Zoo.
“Iris is an experienced mother and very caring of her baby,” said the Metro Richmond Zoo Dec. 22. “The calf has been nursing and is growing quickly. Iris and her baby currently reside in a super cozy, hay-bedded enclosure that is off exhibit.”
To make sure the small hippo stays safe while swimming, the water level in the zoo’s pool was lowered. Each day, the water level is brought up slightly. Both Iris and the calf will stay inside until the baby is ready for the zoo’s outdoor habitat.
“Iris and her baby have quickly stolen the hearts of millions of people around the world,” said the zoo. “To the new fanbase of pygmy hippo lovers, we are excited to announce that public viewing has opened for all zoo visitors.”.
So far, the baby has not been named. However, the zoo is reviewing name suggestions received since the calf’s birth.
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