School, college and other closings for Monday

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

It looks like production at the viral baby pygmy hippo factory is at an all-time high, with the Metro Richmond Zoo in Moseley, Va., announcing the birth of a 

healthy female hippo to parents Iris and Corwin

The gloriously moist critter is the same species as worldwide superstars 

 (though pygmy hippopotamuses are native to forests and swamps in West Africa). At least one other baby pygmy hippo made a public appearance to fanfare this year — 

The American member of this squad will have her name decided 

Voting is open until 2 p.m. Tuesday, with the winning name announced on New Year's Day. The name options are Poppy, Juniper, Hammie Mae and Omi. 

Voters will have to choose carefully and cement her place as an icon next to her peers. 

Moo Deng was one of the internet's biggest celebrities in 2024, known for her rotund figure and fiery personality. She was plastered across social media feeds, 

, and faced the pitfalls of fame when visitors had their viewing privileges restricted for throwing items into her enclosure. When Haggis came onto the scene in Edinburgh, she was subjected to headlines pitting her against her ham-like sister. 

This new boom of squishy babies marks important ecological progress for pygmy hippos, which are an endangered species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. 

An estimated 2,000 remain in the world, mainly in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Ivory Coast, 

due to habitat loss and being hunted for bushmeat, according to the Pygmy Hippo Foundation

So the latest baby is not just a new source of joy for us to fawn over online. NPR's Jaclyn Diaz spoke to Jonny Appleyard, hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo back in November, about how crucial each new birth is. "It is important to remember that pygmy hippos are incredibly rare," Appleyard said, adding that having little ambassadors to connect with visitors can "help raise awareness of the challenges the species face in the wild."

In short: Keep those slick little babies coming!

Homepage

Environmental News

Animals

Manuela López Restrepo

Author

Moo Deng and Haggis are joined by another slick, round supreme on the scene. Fans of the new baby can cast their vote to name her until New Year's Eve, with the winning name announced the next day.

New year, new pygmy hippo: A naming poll for this Virginia zoo baby is underway

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox