December 25th 2024.
As the holiday season arrives, the classic tune of "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas" takes on new meaning. Children all over the world are waking up to find presents under their trees, courtesy of Father Christmas. While some eagerly tear open their gifts and cards, others are experiencing their first Christmas with their families, having been born just under a year ago.
In Edinburgh, Otto and Gloria, proud parents of a special "infant", are no different. However, the little one they are celebrating with weighs a hefty 18kg and lives in the nearby zoo. Haggis, the pygmy hippo, was born on October 30 during the height of the Moo Deng mania. Despite her distant Thai cousin capturing the world's hearts first, this "wee legend" has already made her mark at the zoo with her feisty personality.
Penny Jack, a hoofstock keeper who works closely with Haggis, shared with Metro about the zoo's plans for the baby hippo's first Christmas. As a hoofstock worker, Jack is responsible for the care of various animals, including giraffes, hippos, rhinos, zebras, and other hooved species. According to Jack, little Haggis is thriving in her enclosure and growing every day. Just like her distant cousin, Haggis has captured hearts around the world with her love for swimming and continuous learning.
Although Haggis is still too young to swim properly, she enjoys spending time in the pool and has even learned to get out by herself. This was a surprise to the keepers, as hippos are typically born overnight, with the birth captured on the zoo's cameras. However, Gloria, being the experienced mother that she is, gave birth outside in the big pool, which had not yet been drained for winter. Johnny, the team leader, assisted in safely retrieving the newborn and making sure she was comfortable in a warm, hay bed.
Jack praised Gloria for being a great mum, having previously given birth to another baby named Amara in 2021, who now resides at the London Zoo. Gloria has been less protective of Haggis compared to Amara, and she even lets the keepers assist with her care. Both Gloria and Haggis have access to the pool, and Haggis loves being in the water. However, due to her small size, the keepers have to regulate her time in the pool to maintain her body temperature.
While Gloria and Haggis are the best of friends, Otto is a rather absent father and is kept separate from them. The hippos can see and smell each other through the fence at night, but they won't meet until Haggis is around eight or nine months old and bigger. Jack shared that Haggis takes after her feisty mum, while Otto is more laid back and usually lies down comfortably. When Gloria needs space, she lets Otto know, and he gives them their privacy.
At the moment, Haggis is still too young to eat a pure veggie diet like her parents, but she has started nibbling on Gloria's food and gaining weight. For her first Christmas, the zoo has planned a special treat for the hippos. They will receive Christmas gifts made from recycled boxes and filled with vegetables. These "enrichment" boxes are popular among the animals, although Gloria may not be as enthusiastic about them as Otto. But one thing is for sure, curious Haggis will surely love exploring and playing with her gift.
As Haggis grows, she is becoming more and more feisty, and Jack predicts that she will soon start causing chaos just like her distant cousin, Moo Deng. The little hippo is definitely her own unique individual, and the zoo staff can't wait to see what kind of mischief she will get into next. With her loving parents and dedicated keepers by her side, Haggis is sure to have a wonderful first Christmas and many more to come.
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