Baby pygmy hippo named Piper explores pool in first swim

By Elizabeth Hunter

A baby pygmy hippo has been pictured taking its first ever swim.

Three-week-old Piper followed her mom Gloria into the pool, before gaining the confidence to begin exploring the water on her own.

After a lap of the pool and a tentative nibble on some driftwood, Piper patiently waited by mom as she snoozed in the water.

When it was time to head for dry land she made her way with a helping hand from animal team leader Jonny Appleyard.

Piper was born on Aug. 3 at Edinburgh Zoo, and has quickly become a visitor favorite.

Pygmy hippopotamuses are native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily Liberia.

They are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and it is estimated that just 2,500 remain in the wild due to habitat loss.

The species has enjoyed widespread virality in recent years, after videos of pygmy hippos Moo Deng in Thailand and Haggis in Edinburgh were shared on TikTok.