Haggis (pygmy hippo)
 Haggis in December 2024 | |
| Species | Pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) |
|---|---|
| Sex | Female |
| Born | 30 October 2024 |
| Residence | Edinburgh Zoo, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Parent(s) |
|
| Named after | Haggis |
Haggis (born 30 October 2024) is a pygmy hippopotamus currently living at Edinburgh Zoo in Edinburgh, Scotland. She achieved online popularity soon after her birth due to a comedic rivalry with fellow pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si Racha, Chonburi Thailand.
Life
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Haggis was born on 30 October 2024 to parents Gloria and Otto. She has a full sister named Amara (born 2021) who lives at London Zoo as part of a breeding programme.[1] She was named after the Scottish food dish haggis.[2]
Edinburgh Zoo's pygmy hippopotamus house was closed for the first 30 days of her life to ensure safe development in infancy.[1] It reopened to visitors at the end of November and Haggis was described by the zoo as becoming "bolder each day and spending more time exploring inside".[3] On 14 November, Haggis weighed 10.4 kg (22.93 lb), having doubled in size over a two-week period.[4] Soon after, Haggis began daily swimming sessions in her inside pool.[5]
By 21 January 2025, Haggis's weight had increased to around 20 kg (44.09 lb).[6] Two months later, after temperatures had reached 10 °C (50 °F), Haggis was allowed outside of the hippo house.[7] In April 2025, she was introduced to her father Otto: they were previously kept separate to emulate the natural behaviour of pygmy hippos.[8]
Online popularity
[edit]Haggis received online attention within a week of her birth due to comparisons with Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand who had previously gone viral. Edinburgh Zoo's birth announcement on 4 November 2024 made direct reference to Moo Deng and was seen as creating a rivalry between the two. They made a joke notes app apology later that day.[9] The following week, the rivalry was referenced during a Weekend Update sketch on Saturday Night Live, with segment host Colin Jost referring to Haggis as "fugly as hell".[10]
Haggis was described by Edinburgh Zoo's hoofstock team leader as Scotland's "own little ambassador" for pygmy hippos.[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "'Incredibly rare' pygmy hippo born at Edinburgh zoo". BBC News. 5 November 2024. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
- ^ "Moo-ve over Moo Deng: New baby hippo Haggis challenges for the cuteness crown". NBC News. 6 November 2024. Archived from the original on 29 November 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ a b Franklin, Beth (28 November 2024). "Endangered pygmy hippo calf Haggis ready for visitors at Scots zoo". STV News. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ Edinburgh Zoo [@edinburghzoo]; (15 November 2024). "Haggis update 🦛 At yesterday's weigh-in she was 10.4kg... that's a little more than a 24 can pack of @irnbru! She has now doubled in size in the past two weeks and is doing so well under the watchful eye of her mum, Gloria 💛". Retrieved 9 December 2024 – via Instagram.
- ^ Brawn, Steph (19 December 2024). "Haggis the pygmy hippo pictured swimming at Edinburgh Zoo". The National. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ Jackson, Lucy (21 January 2025). "'A wee madam': Edinburgh Zoo gives update on Haggis the baby pygmy hippo". The National. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ Scotting, Joe (11 March 2025). "Viral sensation Haggis the pygmy hippo is now exploring outside". The National. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ Lennon, Holly (8 April 2025). "Scotland's baby pygmy hippo Haggis meets dad for the first time". STV News. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ "Edinburgh zoo's pygmy hippo Haggis could be internet rival to Moo Deng". The Guardian. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ Jackson, Lucy (11 November 2024). "'Fugly': American comedian takes aim at Scottish newborn pygmy hippo Haggis". The National. Retrieved 3 December 2024.