Home of Haggis the hippo
Move over nessie! There’s a new wee legend in town
Moo deng, who?
Small but mighty, we're delighted to introduce Haggis to Scotland!
Our tiny Endangered pygmy hippo calf was born at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo to parents Otto and Gloria on Wednesday 30 October.
While Thailand’s Moo Deng has become a viral global icon, it is important to remember that pygmy hippos are incredibly rare. It is great to have our own little ambassador right here in Edinburgh to connect with our visitors and help raise awareness of the challenges the species face in the wild.
Ode to Haggis
We're celebrating Burns Night with our very own Robert Burns impersonator who has delivered a delightful ode to Haggis, our youngest pygmy hippo at Edinburgh Zoo!
In honour of the Bard's way with words, our new take on the Address to a Haggis is a toast to both Scottish tradition and one of our most beloved zoo residents.
Why not shake up your own Burns Night this year by reciting Edinburgh Zoo's An Ode to Haggis.
Learn the lyricsYou OTTO get to know the whole family
We promise they do more than just sleep...
Otto
Father of our hippo fam, Otto.
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Gloria
Big and chunky, it's mum Gloria!
Haggis
New calf on the block, Haggis.
Explore Haggis' Trivia Trail!
About the trail
Follow along our Trivia Trail with Haggis, Edinburgh Zoo’s newest wee arrival!
Learn together about our pygmy hippo family and the amazing animals that call the zoo home. Stomp or trot your way through a series of questions for the chance to reveal a reward in our gift shop.
Follow the pink posters and perfect your pygmy plod!
Learn more about our hippos
Hear first-hand from our keepers all about our Pygmy Hippos at our Tea and Talks event at 11am on Wednesday 22 January 2025.
Our tea and talk sessions are small-scale talks from the RZSS team in the stunning setting of our Mansion House at Edinburgh Zoo.
Your ticket includes entry to the zoo for the rest of the day, tea, coffee and a selection of biscuits.
Book tickets now
Wee hippos, big hearts
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Pygmy hippos are classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN) and it is estimated that just 2,500 remain in the wild.
More about pygmy hippos
Otto, Gloria and Haggis are amazing ambassadors for their relatives in the wild and help hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year.
Our conservation work.jpg)
They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.
Help us protect natureHaggis and hippo family news
For all the latest information about Otto, Gloria and wee baby Haggis, visit our news page!
Pygmy updates
