Introducing the Latest Arrival at Virginia Zoo: A Baby Pygmy Hippo Named 'New Deng'
Introducing the Latest Arrival at Virginia Zoo: A Baby Pygmy Hippo Named 'New Deng'
Look out for Moo Deng, a new pygmy hippo kid on the block. The Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia recently announced the birth of a healthy-looking baby female, which joined the world on December 9. The parents, Iris and Corwin, welcomed their third calf in less than five years, and the second one to arrive just before the holidays.
The unnamed calf was born after a seven-month gestation, as per the zoo's statement. This successful birth is significant for pygmy hippos, an endangered species, as they face population challenges in their native regions in Africa.
Pygmy hippos, scientifically known as Choeropsis liberiensis, are one of two surviving hippo species, with the common hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius) being the other. Pygmy hippos are much smaller than common hippos. While adult pygmy hippos weigh between 400 to 600 pounds, their common counterparts weigh at least 3,000 pounds, with male common hippos sometimes reaching up to three times that weight.
Despite their smaller size, pygmy hippos are still quite massive. The newborn at the Metro Richmond Zoo weighed 15 pounds five days after birth, which is approximately double the weight of a typical human newborn. So far, the baby is thriving, as she continues to nurse and grow quickly.
The arrival of the pygmy hippo calf is expected to attract attention, reminiscent of the public's recent fascination with other zoo babies, such as Pesto the penguin and Kirby, the Houston Zoo's elephant calf.
Several pygmy hippo calves have made headlines this year, including an unnamed calf at Athens’ Attica Zoological Park and the Edinburgh Zoo's Haggis. One of the most popular hippo calves recently, Moo Deng, became an internet sensation and even faced abuse from fans at her home zoo in Thailand.
The Metro Richmond Zoo expressed gratitude for welcoming another hippo into their family, stating that "Most people don't get a hippopotamus for Christmas at all, so we feel lucky to have received two over the years."
Iris and the newborn calf, whose name has not been revealed yet, have been placed in a private, hay-filled enclosure for bonding, as per zoo officials. In time, the calf will transition to the zoo's publicly viewable indoor pool exhibit, where she's expected to win over fans eager for more adorable baby hippo content.
Pygmy hippos are known to be less aggressive than common hippos, which are infamous for killing hundreds of humans per year in the wild. As such, there's little concern about the baby hippo causing any uncontrolled havoc.
Once fully grown, the zoo plans to move the calf to another park or sanctuary to pair with a potential mate, continuing conservation efforts. The population of both hippo species is struggling in their African habitats. While the common hippo population exceeds 120,000, the pygmy hippos' numbers are far lower, with an estimated 2,500 pygmy hippos still remaining in the wild.
You can participate in naming the calf by choosing from four options: Poppy, Juniper, Hammie Mae, or Omi, through a public poll organized by the Metro Richmond Zoo, available here.
The successful birth of the pygmy hippo calf at the Metro Richmond Zoo is a significant step towards conserving this endangered species, highlighted by the Science Daily's recent article on the breeding program. With advancements in zoo technology and scientific understanding, the future of pygmy hippos in captivity looks promising.
As the population of pygmy hippos continues to decline in their native habitats, the contributions of zoos and the public's support in conservation efforts through naming programs, like the one currently available for the newborn calf, play a crucial role in ensuring the survival of this unique species in the face of future challenges in technology and science.