EDINBURGH Zoo has confirmed its resident pygmy hippo is pregnant with a new calf expected to arrive in August.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) revealed the news about mum-to-be Gloria following a series of teaser videos on social media.
The upcoming arrival marks Gloria’s first pregnancy since she gave birth to Haggis in 2024.
As the final stages of the pregnancy progress, Gloria has been moved to a private off-show habitat, though visitors can still view the expectant father, Otto.
The new calf will follow in the footsteps of Haggis, a young pygmy hippo who garnered global attention and featured on American television programmes.
Haggis relocated to Wingham Wildlife Park in 2025 to participate in the European breeding programme for the endangered species.
Darren McGarry, head of animal care at RZSS, discussed the new arrival.
He said: “We are all really made up for Gloria, who is positively glowing at the minute. The calf will have a great start in life because Gloria is a really caring, attentive and experienced mum.
“I am chuffed for dad Otto too. His job is basically done now, but we have given him a few treats to say, ‘well done’.”
Pygmy hippos are currently classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily Liberia and Sierra Leone, populations have declined significantly in recent decades.
Estimates suggest that only 2,000 to 2,500 pygmy hippos remain in the wild.
Their survival is heavily threatened by severe habitat fragmentation and destruction driven by logging, mining, and agricultural expansion.
This continuous loss of natural forest habitat forces the animals into closer contact with humans, drastically increasing the risks of hunting and poaching.
In response to these critical threats, global conservation initiatives led by organisations such as the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and IUCN are actively working to secure a future for the species.
Conservation efforts focus on establishing protected areas, conducting vital bio-monitoring with camera traps, and engaging with local communities in West Africa to provide alternative livelihoods to hunting.
Captive breeding programmes at facilities like Edinburgh Zoo play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy genetic population and raising public awareness about the challenges the species faces.
McGarry added: “I’ve worked as an animal keeper since the eighties and spent many of those years working with pygmy hippos.
“It really warms my heart to see so many people excited about this species. Pygmy hippos are a very special animal, and I can tell you news like this never, ever gets old.”
While Gloria rests quietly under the close supervision of veterinary staff, Edinburgh Zoo continues to support the international effort to protect the endangered species.
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