Moo-ve over Moo Deng – there’s a new pygmy hippo stealing hearts.
Haggis, the adorable one-year-old pint-sized hippo, has travelled almost the entire length of Britain to start a new life and help protect her endangered species.
Zookeepers say she’ll soon be joined by a male partner as part of a European breeding programme for her species.
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Pygmy hippos are facing serious threats in the wild, with only around 2,500 left due to deforestation and habitat loss.
Haggis was born in October 2024 at Edinburgh Zoo and has now settled into her new home at Wingham Wildlife Park, Kent.
A Wingham Wildlife Park spokesperson said: “Everyone’s favourite diva and queen of the side eye arrived safely!
“We were thrilled to welcome precious pygmy hippo Haggis – she’s been settling in beautifully after her long journey.”
Pygmy hippos, native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, usually leave their parents at around a year old – so the timing of Haggis’s big move was just right, as reported by What’s The Jam.
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Edinburgh Zoo staff said they’ll miss their “pygmy princess” but can’t wait to see her thrive in her new home.
Jonny Appleyard, hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, added: “Despite only being a year old, Haggis has been a wonderful little ambassador, connecting with visitors and helping raise awareness of the challenges pygmy hippos face in the wild.”
Haggis joins other famous hippos like Moo Deng, who went viral after being born in Thailand last year – proving the world can’t get enough of these tiny, tubby trailblazers.
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