Edinburgh Zoo's baby pygmy hippo has finally been named after first health check
Keepers revealed they had their suspicions of the baby calf's gender
Edinburgh Zoo’s newest arrival has finally been named after being given a first ever health check.
Keepers at the zoo discovered that the one-week old pygmy hippo calf is a little girl.
The youngster was born on Friday, July 31, to parents Otto and Gloria, and has been spending her first days being cared for by her mum as she grows in strength and confidence.
Keepers have revealed they have named the baby Piper, as an ode to Scottish bagpipes.
Her Scottish name is in keeping with a family tradition, after her older sister, who was born at the zoo in 2024, was named Haggis after Scotland’s national dish.
Piper’s older sibling rose to fame after pictures and videos of Haggis went viral on social media. She was even featured on Saturday Night Live.
Jade Robertson, senior hoofstock keeper at Edinburgh Zoo, said staff had their suspicions that the calf was a female from the moment they met her.
She said: “We all felt she was a wee girl from the moment we met her so it is good to have that hunch confirmed.
“We went with Piper because she's like a little bagpipe always making cute little huffs and puffs."
During her check-up, vets from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) assessed Piper’s bodyweight, gave her a warm bath and carried out a full examination, including inspecting her gums and tiny teeth.
The little calf currently weights just under 5.5kg, but keepers expect her to grow quickly thanks to Gloria’s rich and nutritious milk.
Ms Robertson said: "She's still only a dot at the moment weighing just under 5.5 kilos. She will soon start piling on the pounds because her mum's milk is so rich and nutritious.”
As Piper gets older, keepers expect her personality to become increasingly apparent as she grows more adventurous and confident exploring her home.
Dr Stephanie Mota, head vet at RZSS, said she was “really pleased” with both mum and baby during the health check.
Gloria and Piper are continuing to bond, with lucky visitors potentially able to spot the pair over the coming days.
Access to the hippo house will depend on their wellbeing, and visitors are advised to check Edinburgh Zoo’s social media channels and app for the latest updates.
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