A rare pygmy hippo born in Edinburgh that became famous worldwide has moved to a new home as part of a conservation programme to help her endangered species.
Haggis – named for her resemblance to the Scottish delicacy – won the hearts of millions after she was born at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo on October 30 last year.
Around 550,000 people are thought to have visited her after she went on show in the Scottish capital last November, with millions more following her online.
She has now travelled to a new home at Wingham Wildlife Park in Kent, where she will go on to play an important part in the European breeding programme for pygmy hippos.
Not yet on show to her new adoring public, she spent her first birthday settling into her new surroundings.
Darren McGarry, head of living collections at RZSS, paid tribute to the internet sensation who featured on NBC’s Saturday Night Live and was even adopted as an “official Radio 1 mascot” by breakfast show presenter Greg James.
He said: “We are continually fighting to try to raise the profile of endangered species like the pygmy hippo, so it’s been incredible to see baby Haggis become a worldwide viral sensation.
“It’s not just about doing catchy TikTok videos though. For years keepers at Edinburgh Zoo have been involved in breeding and caring for these animals, contributing to the global knowledge on pygmy hippo husbandry, and ensuring that everything possible is being done to bolster the zoological population for the long term.”
Pygmy hippos are native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily Liberia. It is estimated that just 2500 remain in the wild due to habitat loss.
In the wild, young pygmy hippos leave their parents when they are around one year old. As Haggis approached her first birthday, she was already starting to distance herself from mum Gloria.
Haggis was transported to her new home this week in a specialised animal transport van with her own bedding and some of her mum’s, with familiar scents to help her settle.
She will eventually be joined by a male partner once a suitable candidate has been identified. Pygmy hippos reach sexual maturity at around three to five years old.
Jonny Appleyard, animal team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said: “Looking after Haggis has been amazing, and it has been fascinating to see her become a bit of a celebrity.
“Cute baby animals are always popular at Edinburgh Zoo but from the moment she was revealed to the public, Haggis had people completely smitten.
“We’ve never seen so many visitors coming from far and wide just to meet a hippo before. She’s had cards, drawings, knitted toys – even a few songs written about her.
“When Saturday Night Live mentioned her and Greg James adopted her as the official Radio 1 mascot, we knew that she’d gone global.
“That level of profile has been great for making people aware of the plight of pygmy hippos and what we’re doing to try to help them.
“Her move down south is a part of that process, as she moves on to eventually become part of a European breeding programme for the species.
“Like everyone at Edinburgh Zoo, I’m going to miss her, but we’re very proud of the difference that she’s made.”
