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
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
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
References
- ^ 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.