Scotland's baby pygmy hippo Haggis to leave Edinburgh Zoo

A baby pygmy hippo that has become an internet sensation is to leave Edinburgh Zoo next month.

Haggis arrived at the zoo to parents Otto and Gloria in October last year.

Her arrival came hot on the heels of the global obsession with Moo Deng, of Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand.

Haggis went on to also take the internet by storm and quickly became a favourite among visitors.

Haggis was born last year at Edinburgh Zoo. RZSS

The zoo has now announced that Haggis will be moving to another zoo, where she will be part of a breeding programme for the endangered species.

Haggis is already distancing herself from her mum as she approaches the natural age young pygmy hippos leave their parents in the wild.

Jonny Appleyard, hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said: “Although we will be sad to see Haggis go, she is off to play her part in the breeding programme for this rare species.

Haggis will be moving to a new zoo to take part in a breeding programme. RZSS

“Pygmy hippos don’t reach sexual maturity until three to five years old so it will be a while before she might have her own little one.”

He added: “Despite only being a year old, Haggis has been a wonderful little ambassador, connecting with our visitors and helping raise awareness of the challenges pygmy hippos face in the wild.”

The species is native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily Liberia. It is estimated that just 2,500 remain in the wild due to habitat loss.

Visitors have until October 26 to see Haggis before she heads off on her new adventure.