‘A wee madam’: Edinburgh Zoo gives update on Haggis the baby pygmy hippo

EDINBURGH Zoo has given an update on Haggis the baby pygmy hippo.

Haggis, born to parents Otto and Gloria on October 30, has quickly become a global sensation – even featuring on popular American skit show Saturday Night Live.

Pygmy hippos are an endangered species native to the forests and swamps of west Africa, primarily Liberia.

Haggis pictured swimming (Image: NQ) (Image: NQ) It is estimated that only around 2500 remain in the wild due to habitat loss.

Now nearly three months old, Haggis is starting to show more of her personality, with keepers dubbing her a “wee madam”.

Speaking to The National, Karen Stiven – one of Haggis’ keepers – said the baby pygmy hippo was “coming out of her shell”.

Stiven said: “She is funny, she charges about and she comes and bites on your boots, which is nice because it shows her character coming out.

“She’s definitely coming out of her shell, she’s a lot more independent and we can get hands on with her.”

Haggis pictured with mum Gloria (Image: NQ) (Image: NQ) Haggis’ mum Gloria was initially “quite wary” at letting the keepers near Haggis, with the keepers having to “watch themselves” when they entered the enclosure.

However, Stiven said Gloria is now “quite happy for us to wander around with [Haggis] and have a wee play with her”.

Haggis is growing quickly: She has outgrown the baby scales, weighing around 20kg the last time she was checked, and she will begin to transition away from feeding on her mum to a special pellet diet.

She will also be allowed to go outside for the first time soon, with cold temperatures preventing her from exploring.

Stiven said: “The only issue we have is because she was born in October, we’re having difficulties letting her out.”

She added that Haggis will be able to go outside once the temperature rises above 10C.

Haggis can be seen alongside parents Gloria and Otto at the Hippo House at Edinburgh Zoo.