A hippopotamus for Christmas: Zoo announces birth of baby pygmy hippo

CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WWBT/Gray News) - A zoo in Virginia welcomed a baby hippopotamus just in time for Christmas.

The Richmond Metro Zoo announced on Dec. 24 the birth of a baby pygmy hippopotamus at their facility.

The baby was born on Dec. 9 and is the third calf for the pygmy hippo parents Iris and Corwin.

It’s the second time the zoo has seen the birth of a hippopotamus right before the holidays.

“Most people don’t get a hippopotamus for Christmas at all, so we feel lucky to have received two over the years,” the zoo said.

The newborn weighed 15 pounds. The zoo says grown pygmy hippos can weigh up to 600 pounds.

The zoo said baby hippo hasn’t been named yet and is not yet ready to be in a public exhibit.

“This gives mom and baby privacy while they bond,” the zoo said. “Within time, they will move back to the indoor pool area so guests can see the baby.”

The zoo said the pygmy hippo is an endangered species, and there are less than 2,500 of them in the wild.

“This birth – like all of Iris’ births – plays an important role in helping protect this rare and elusive species,” the zoo said.

Additional updates can be found on Metro Richmond Zoo’s website.