At just three weeks old, Piper, the pygmy hippo born at Edinburgh Zoo, has taken her first swim. The youngster initially followed her mother Gloria into the pool before gaining enough confidence to begin exploring the water on her own.
During her first experience in the pool, Piper completed a lap and even stopped for a tentative nibble on a piece of driftwood. She then waited beside her mother as Gloria rested in the water.
Getting back onto dry land proved to be another small challenge. When it was time to leave the pool, Piper received a helping hand from animal team leader Jonny Appleyard.
The youngster, who was first introduced to visitors earlier this month, is continuing to explore her surroundings under the watchful eye of her mother.
An Endangered species
Pygmy hippos (Choeropsis liberiensis) are native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily Liberia. Much smaller and more elusive than their larger relatives, they are closely associated with forest habitats and waterways.
The species is classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). According to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), an estimated 2,500 pygmy hippos remain in the wild, with habitat loss representing one of the main threats to their survival.
Piper’s first paddle marks another milestone for the three-week-old youngster, who is now becoming increasingly confident in exploring her environment at Edinburgh Zoo.
Photo credit: RZSS
