Current:Home > FinanceWho Is Baby Hippo Haggis? Get to Know the Calf Captivating Edinburgh Zoo Attendees-InfoLens
Who Is Baby Hippo Haggis? Get to Know the Calf Captivating Edinburgh Zoo Attendees
View Date:2024-12-23 10:12:22
Move over, Moo Deng.
After all, there’s room to be made for Haggis, the latest addition to Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo and another pygmy hippo who is ready for her close up.
Haggis was born to parents Otto and Gloria on Oct. 30, with the tiny calf’s arrival announced via an official statement on the zoo’s website on Nov. 4, that playfully began with the banner “Moo Deng Who?”
“Haggis is doing really well so far and it is amazing to see her personality beginning to shine already,” Jonny Appleyard, hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo said in the statement. “The first 30 days are critical for her development, so the pygmy hippo house will be closed for now to allow us to keep a close eye on mum and baby at this sensitive time.”
Johnny noted that the birth of Haggis and the viral love around Moo Deng has raised awareness for the animals—who have officially been declared endangered.
“While Thailand’s Moo Deng has become a viral global icon, it is important to remember that pygmy hippos are incredibly rare,” he continued. “It is great to have our own little ambassador right here in Edinburgh to connect with our visitors and help raise awareness of the challenges the species face in the wild.”
And Haggis’ social media team has already gotten to work. After the internet caught wind of the shade, the zoo released an “apology” to Moo Deng and Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo for pitting the little ladies against each other.
“We were wrong to pit Haggis and Moo Deng against each other,” the notes app apology read on X (formally known as Twitter) Nov. 4. “There is space in this world for two beautiful pygmy hippo divas and we should celebrate them all. Sorry to Moo Deng. Let’s work this out on the remix.”
Naturally, there’s room for both gals, as their fame has brought awareness to the species of hippos, native to Liberia and other forest and swamps in West Africa. It is estimated that only 2,500 remain in the wild, due to habitat loss, per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN).
The internet’s original pygmy hippo made her grand debut into the world in July. Since, Moo Deng has captivated the hearts (and even made an appearance on Saturday Night Live) of the world wide web and doubled visitors at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo since her birth in July, per World Animal Protection.
Moo Deng—which roughly translates to Bouncing Pig—has garnered memes, and merchandise. However, her arrival has not been without controversy, as the zoo issued a statement telling visitors to visit her while she’s awake, instead of throwing things and splashing her in an effort to get her to wake up.
"These behaviours are not only cruel, but also dangerous," zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi said in a statement via the BBC. “We must protect these animals and ensure that they have a safe and comfortable environment."
But online, there continues to be an outpour of love for the creature.
As on X user noted during the hippo’s initial rise to fame she is, “the most beautiful girl in the world.”
Watch E! News weeknights Monday through Thursday at 11 p.m., only on E!.veryGood! (145)
Related
- Rachael Ray Details Getting Bashed Over Decision to Not Have Kids
- Dominican authorities are searching for caretaker after bodies of 6 newborns are found near cemetery
- Paris is having a bedbug outbreak. Here's expert advice on how to protect yourself while traveling.
- Former Arkansas state Rep. Jay Martin announces bid for Supreme Court chief justice
- Mean Girls’ Lacey Chabert Details “Full Circle” Reunion With Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Seyfried
- Liverpool, West Ham remain perfect in Europa League, newcomer Brighton picks up first point
- 2030 World Cup will be held in six countries across Africa, Europe and South America
- Nearly $300M Virginia legislative building set to open to public after delays
- John Krasinski Reveals Wife Emily Blunt's Hilarious Response to His Sexiest Man Alive Title
- Trump seeks to delay trial in classified documents case until after 2024 presidential election
Ranking
- Wildfires burn on both coasts. Is climate change to blame?
- Former Arkansas state Rep. Jay Martin announces bid for Supreme Court chief justice
- Slovakia halts military aid for Ukraine as parties that oppose it negotiate to form a new government
- Drug delivery service leader gets 30 years in fentanyl poisoning deaths of 3 New Yorkers
- Blake Shelton Announces New Singing Competition Show After Leaving The Voice
- Ukrainian gymnast wins silver at world championships. Olympic spot is up in the air
- Monkey with sprint speeds as high as 30 mph on the loose in Indianapolis; injuries reported
- How Vanderpump Rules' Tom Sandoval Wanted to Craft the Perfect Breakup Before Cheating Scandal
Recommendation
-
Indiana man is found guilty of murder in the 2017 killings of 2 teenage girls
-
NYC mayor to residents of Puebla, Mexico: ‘Mi casa es su casa,’ but ‘there’s no more room’
-
Drug delivery service leader gets 30 years in fentanyl poisoning deaths of 3 New Yorkers
-
Republican-led Oklahoma committee considers pause on executions amid death case scrutiny
-
‘COP Fatigue’: Experts Warn That Size and Spectacle of Global Climate Summit Is Hindering Progress
-
U.S. to restart deportations to Venezuela in effort to reduce record border arrivals
-
Ex-USC gynecologist charged with sexually assaulting students dies before going to trial
-
Geri Halliwell Reveals Why She Ditched Her Eccentric Spice Girl Style