Moo Deng can take a break—Poppy the baby hippo is stealing hearts in Virginia

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Move over, Moo Deng! There’s a new baby hippo in town, and her name is Poppy. Born at the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia, this pint-sized pygmy hippo is quickly becoming the latest internet sensation. Fans of Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippo from Thailand who captured hearts worldwide last summer, no longer need to travel across the globe to meet their favorite tiny mammal.

Poppy, born on December 9, 2024, to proud parents Iris and Corwin, is the third calf in four-and-a-half years for the zoo’s pygmy hippo family. Her birth was particularly special, as it marked Iris' first water birth—a unique event for pygmy hippos, who can deliver both on land and in water.

But what’s really making waves is the exclusive opportunity to meet Poppy up close. The Metro Richmond Zoo is offering a limited-time «Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience», which allows visitors to get behind-the-scenes access to Hippo Haven, interact with Poppy and her mom (safely, of course), and even feed them.

Poppy’s Rise to Fame

Poppy’s name was chosen through a global poll that attracted over 116,000 votes from 165 countries. Her charm and tiny stature are quickly earning her a loyal following, rivaling Moo Deng’s viral fame.

Pygmy hippos like Poppy are the smaller, endangered cousins of the common hippopotamus, native to West Africa. Weighing only a fraction of their larger relatives, these rare creatures have been listed as endangered since 2015. The Metro Richmond Zoo is playing a vital role in their conservation and public awareness efforts.

Hippo Mania Continues

Poppy isn’t the only pygmy hippo making headlines. After Moo Deng’s viral debut, Haggis, another pygmy hippo calf born in Scotland in October 2024, became a social media darling. Now, Poppy is