HAGGIS, the Edinburgh Zoo hippo which took the internet by storm, has now been allowed to explore outside by keepers.
The pygmy hippo calf can now be seen exploring her outdoor habitat alongside her mum Gloria.
She was initially not allowed to leave her enclosure due to the cold climate, only able to leave her enclosure once the temperature had risen above 10C.
Visitors to the wildlife conservation charity’s zoo can get a glimpse of Haggis as she becomes feistier, spending more time each day exploring outside.
As she has matured, Haggis has showed a lot more of her personality, with zoo 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” as she matured.
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’ mother, Gloria, was initially “quite wary” at letting the keepers near her daughter, with keepers having to “watch themselves” when they entered the enclosure.
The hippo has proven a popular attraction to Scots, even getting her own Burns Night poem in her honour.
Pygmy hippos are native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily Liberia.
Haggis was born on Wednesday 30 October to parents Otto and Gloria at Edinburgh Zoo.
Otto and Gloria previously welcomed a calf, Amara, in 2021, who was soon moved to ZSL London Zoo in 2023 as part of the European breeding programme for the endangered species.
The public can see Otto, Gloria and Haggis at Edinburgh Zoo.
