A rare dwarf hippo was born in Scotland: there are only 2500 of them left. Viral video

A dwarf hippo, considered a rare species, was born at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, there are only 2,500 of its representatives left in the world.

The newborn was named Haggis. According to CNN, pygmy hippos are native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, especially in Liberia.

The hippo enclosure has been temporarily closed to visitors "so that our experienced caretakers can keep a close eye on mom and baby during this sensitive time," the zoo said in an announcement.

Haggis was born a week ago on October 30. In 2021, her parents Otto and Gloria also gave birth to Amara the hippo, but he was transferred to London Zoo as part of the European Endangered Species Breeding Program.

"Haggis is doing very well and it's great to see her personality starting to emerge. The first 30 days are critical for her development," commented Johnny Appleyard, head of the ungulate team at Edinburgh Zoo.

The animal is being carefully looked after by the staff. A message has recently appeared on the zoo's social media: "We love them big, we love them chubby. Our expert keepers weigh Haggis every day to make sure our little lady is healthy and happy."

In the summer, a dwarf hippo was also born at the Khao Kheow Zoo in Thailand, named Moo Deng. Its name was chosen by more than 20 thousand Internet users and means "jumping pig".

This hippo became so popular online that a separate Wikipedia page was created for it, and the zoo began selling Moo Deng merchandise. She quickly became a favorite among the public for her playfulness and activity.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!