Adorable video shows endangered baby hippo taking its first steps

By Barney Riley via SWNS

This adorable video shows an endangered pygmy hippo calf taking its first steps.

The unnamed calf was born at Richmond Metro Zoo in Virginia on Dec. 6.

Hippo parents Iris and Corwin were congratulated by staff after a seven-month gestation period.

This is the second pygmy hippo calf to be born at the zoo this year and at three days old had a neonatal exam by the veterinary team.

After one week, the calf weighs 24.2 pounds - but a fully-grown pygmy hippo can reach up to 600 pounds.

The calf's mother Iris is an experienced mother and is now caring and nursing the baby in a private and super-cozy enclosure away from guests.

Eventually, the pair will be moved to the indoor pool area where the calf will be able to learn how to swim with its mother.

The pygmy hippo is native to West Africa and is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red list.

There are only 2,500 mature individuals left in the wild, their chances of survival are vastly improved in zoological parks.

This birth plays an important role in helping protect this fascinating and rare species.