The Metro Richmond Zoo invites the public to vote on a name for its new baby pygmy hippo, born just before Christmas
Moseley: There’s a new pygmy hippo at the Metro Richmond Zoo, and she’s adorable! This little lady was born on December 9, and the zoo is letting everyone help pick her name.
The baby hippo weighs about 15 pounds and is the third calf from her parents, Iris and Corwin. They’ve been busy over the last few years! The zoo shared that she was born through a water birth, which is pretty cool.
Now, here’s the fun part: the zoo has set up a poll for people to vote on her name. The choices are Juniper, Poppy, Omi, and Hammie Mae. Each name has a special meaning, which makes it even more interesting.
Juniper is a nod to her birth season, while Poppy connects to her mom’s name. Omi means “water” in Yoruba, and Hammie Mae has a sweet Southern touch. The name with the most votes will be the winner, and if there’s a tie, they’ll have another vote.
In just the first day, over 14,000 people from around the world joined in on the fun! The final name will be revealed on New Year’s Day after the poll closes on New Year’s Eve.
The excitement around this little hippo comes after Moo Deng, another baby pygmy hippo from Thailand, captured hearts online. Moo Deng became famous for her playful antics and even inspired some memes during the U.S. election.
People loved her so much that some even made cakes inspired by her! It’s amazing how these little creatures can bring so much joy and connection across the globe.
