Baby pygmy hippo caught on camera exploring for first time

By Elizabeth Hunter

Haggis the pygmy hippo has been spotted exploring her habitat in an adorable new video.

The pygmy hippo calf was born at Edinburgh Zoo on October 30 last year and quickly found online fame after videos of her were posted to TikTok, following in the footsteps of Thailand's famous Moo Deng.

After spending months learning how to be a hippo from her mother, Gloria, the five-month-old calf has now become bold enough to begin exploring her expansive outdoor enclosure on her own.

In a new video, Haggis can be seen wandering the grounds and investigating trees - while her proud mum keeps a close watch.

Staff at Edinburgh Zoo described Haggis as "becoming bolder, and spending more time outside."

Native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, particularly Liberia, pygmy hippos are an endangered species, with only 2,500 estimated to remain in the wild.

Haggis is expected to reach full maturity at between three to five years old.

Jonny Appleyard, hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said: "While Thailand’s Moo Deng has become a viral global icon, it is important to remember that pygmy hippos are incredibly rare.

"It is great to have our own little ambassador right here in Edinburgh to connect with our visitors and help raise awareness of the challenges the species face in the wild.”