Scotland’s only pygmy hippo calf has been named Amara in tribute to the endangered animal’s native home of West Africa.
Edinburgh Zoo welcomed the little female calf, baby to visitor favourites Otto and Gloria, on April 17.
Amara, meaning grace, was chosen by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, which helps to support the wildlife conservation charity’s projects around the world and in the RZSS WildGenes laboratory.
EmailPygmy hippos are native to West Africa where populations are declining rapidly due to habitat destruction caused by logging, farming and human settlement among other threats.
Based just behind the rhino house at Edinburgh Zoo, the RZSS WildGenes team contribute to work to protect animals across the globe, including publishing the first-ever genomic study of pygmy hippos.
For more information on Edinburgh Zoo and how you can help care for the charity’s animals, click here.
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