Virginia Zoo Welcomes Newborn Pygmy Hippo

A female pygmy hippopotamus at the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia has given birth to a healthy calf, marking the third birth of a hippo at the zoo in the past five years. The mother, Iris, welcomed the female calf on December 9 after a seven-month gestation. This newborn, yet to be named, is Iris's third offspring with the father, Corwin, and is the second calf at the zoo with a December birthday, according to zoo officials.

Upon a neonatal examination five days after birth, the calf weighed 15 pounds. Officials noted that adult pygmy hippos can reach up to 600 pounds. Pygmy hippopotamuses are an endangered species native to West Africa, with only about 2,500 mature individuals remaining in the wild. These hippos are known for their solitary nature, often living alone or in pairs, unlike their larger, more social relatives.

The zoo highlighted the importance of conservation efforts, stating that Iris's previous calves were relocated to different zoological facilities to find mates and aid in species conservation. The rarity of these events was captured in the zoo's message: "Most people don't get a hippopotamus for Christmas at all, so we feel lucky to have received two over the years." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)