Zoo unveils baby hippo

A pygmy hippopotamus has been born to a new breeding pair at a zoo, it was revealed yesterday.

Leishan entered the world on May 9 at Edinburgh Zoo.

The new arrival, whose name means “gift” in West Africa, is the offspring of Ellen and Otto and she is the first baby for the pair.

Darren McGarry, zoo animal collection manager, said Ellen was already proving to be a great mother. He said the new addition was set to be a hit with visitors to the zoo.

Mr McGarry, who also sits on the European endangered programme committee for the species, said: “A pygmy hippo baby is an exciting addition for us.

“This baby will be very popular with visitors to Edinburgh Zoo this summer.

“Its birth will also contribute to the sustainable breeding of the pygmy hippo species both in UK and Europe. Edinburgh Zoo is only one of a few zoos in the UK to care for this species and we have a particularly successful breeding record, having produced 16 hippo calves in less than 30 years.”

He added: “Ellen is proving to be a great mum to Leishan. The calf has gradually been gaining weight and she is now old enough to begin exploring her enclosure and can be seen by visitors.”

Pygmy hippos are found only in West Africa, where they are now critically endangered. Their primary threat is the loss of their forest habitat due to the timber industry, and they are hunted extensively for their meat.