We’ve got positively happy news for pygmy hippo fans! The zoo is thrilled to announce that Poppy, America’s beloved pygmy hippo princess, has made her public debut in the outdoor Hippo Haven habitat.
Iris and Poppy had been living in a climate-controlled indoor habitat to ensure their comfort and safety during the colder months. With spring in full bloom, Poppy ventured outside for the first time with her mother on March 28.
Iris and Poppy love being outside to soak up the sun (and the shade). Their habitat features a large pool where they spend most of their time splashing, playing, and cooling off (they are hippos, after all). They leave the water a few times during the day to graze on the grass.
The outdoor habitat offers guests close-up views of the pygmy hippos on land and in the water. The pool has an underwater viewing window where visitors can come face-to-face with Poppy as she swims alongside her mom. This is truly a memorable experience for anyone visiting the zoo!
Since Poppy was introduced to the world, she has gathered a strong social media following with loyal fans from around the globe. Poppy’s fans are the happiest, kindest, and most dedicated people. We have loved meeting them as they visited the zoo from various states, including New York, Florida, Texas, California, Washington, and Alaska. We are thrilled that Poppy’s fans can now see her daily in her outdoor habitat.
Poppy is nearly four months old and weighs around 80 pounds! Pygmy hippos grow very quickly. By five months, she will be 10 times her birth weight. Poppy still nurses, but she also eats solid foods now. She nibbles on grain, hay, lettuce, celery, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and occasionally fruits like bananas and apples. She will stop nursing around six months old.
With fewer than 2,500 remaining in the wild, pygmy hippos are endangered. We are proud Poppy has been raising awareness for her species and allowing us to raise funds for conservation efforts.
