The Metro Richmond Zoo is seeking the public’s assistance in naming a newborn female pygmy hippopotamus calf.
The calf was born on Dec. 9, according to a Christmas Eve news release from the Virginia-based zoo.
https://x.com/metrorhmdzoo/status/1873392521466028090
“Hippo hooray! The zoo is excited to announce a heartwarming addition to our animal family just in time for the holidays: a baby pygmy hippo. The newborn arrived on December 9, 2024, after a 7-month gestation. Congratulations to pygmy hippo parents Iris and Corwin on the birth of another little girl,” the zoo in Mosley said in the release.
The newborn weighed in at “a healthy 15 pounds” and will weigh up to 600 pounds when fully grown, the release noted.
On Friday, Dec. 27, the Metro Richmond Zoo launched a poll to name the new calf.
Choices include Poppy, Juniper, Hammie Mae, and Omi.
Poppy was chosen as a tribute to her mother’s floral name, Juniper is a nod to her winter birthday, Hammie Mae is “a sweet and southern tie to Virginia ham” and Omi is the Yoruba word for “water,” according to the Metro Richmond Zoo.
The poll received an “incredible response” in the first 24 hours it was open, the zoo said in an update posted to its website and Facebook page.
“We’re thrilled to see so many people joining in on the fun of naming our adorable pygmy hippo baby,” the zoo said.
The zoo received more than 14,000 votes “from hippo fans all over the world” during the first day of voting.
The Metro Richmond Zoo clarified that if no name wins an outright majority of the votes, there would be a second vote with the top two contenders.
The poll closes on Dec. 31 at 2 p.m., and the winning name will be announced on New Year’s Day.
