Haggis the hippo: could Edinburgh Zoo’s cute new pygmy hippo be the next Moo Deng?

Move over Moo Deng, there’s a new plump and impeccably moisturised kid in town. Thailand’s baby pygmy hippo and internet icon is facing some friendly competition from Edinburgh Zoo’s latest arrival: Haggis. 

The birth of the female pygmy hippo calf was announced by the zoo on Monday (November 4) in a social media post that read: ‘Moo Deng? Who deng? Introducing … Haggis.’ Similar to Moo Deng, who’s named after a type of Thai meatball (which translates to ‘bouncy pork’), Edinburgh Zoo has named their calf after a Scottish national dish. 

Born to parents Otto and Gloria on October 30, zoo staff say that Haggis is ‘doing really well so far’ and her personality is ‘beginning to shine already’. 

Apparently, the first 30 days of Haggis’ life are crucial to her development, so keepers are keeping a close eye on mum and baby, and the hippo house is closed for the time being. 

You’ll could get to see Haggis IRL soon, though. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has launched a prize draw to give two people to opportunity to hang out with her. Each entry costs from £5 and all the funds will go towards animal care and protecting the species in the wild. 

Pygmy hippos are native to forests and swamps in west Africa but due to habitat loss, there are fewer than 2,500 left in the wild. 

Jonny Appleyard, hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh zoo, said: ‘While Thailand’s Moo Deng has become a viral global icon, it is important to remember that pygmy hippos are incredibly rare.

‘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.’

Edinburgh Zoo has since apologised for pitching poor, innocent Moo Deng and Haggis against each other. It posted: ‘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 it out on the remix.’