Get to know Poppy the baby pygmy hippo: Details on meet-and-greet, ticket pricing
For those in the U.S. charmed by Moo Deng, there’s no need to venture to Thailand anymore to encounter a baby pygmy hippo up close.
The Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia is currently offering special meet-and-greet sessions featuring its new baby pygmy hippo, Poppy, for a short period. This adorable hippo, who is now one month old, drew attention following her birth last month, which sparked significant interest after Moo Deng’s rise to fame on social media this past summer.
Here’s what you need to know about the Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience.
Who is Poppy, the baby pygmy hippo?
Poppy made her entrance into the world on December 9, 2024, born to Iris and Corwin, the resident pygmy hippos at the Metro Richmond Zoo. She is the third calf of Iris and Corwin in just four and a half years.
Her birth was special as it marked the first time Iris gave birth in water, a common practice for regular hippos, although pygmy hippos can also deliver on land.
This month, Poppy’s name was chosen through a poll that attracted over 116,000 votes from 165 countries. Other names considered were Juniper, Hammie Mae, and Omi.
What’s included in the Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience?
The Metro Richmond Zoo describes the Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience as a 30-minute event that features:
- A behind-the-scenes tour of the Hippo Haven’s indoor pool.
- Wading in the water close to Poppy and Iris, separated by a safe barrier.
- Possible opportunities to feed Poppy and Iris.
- Learning about pygmy hippo behavior and conservation efforts from a zoo representative.
The experience accommodates a maximum of four participants, who must be at least eight years old. Waders will be provided for participants.
What’s the cost of the Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience?
The Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience is priced at $175 per person. Visitors will need to pay an additional $26 for admission to the Metro Richmond Zoo, which is not included in the Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience ticket price.
How can you book the Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience?
Guests can reserve the Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience online through the Metro Richmond Zoo’s website, but it’s available for a limited time only.
The latest date to book is March 1, although that date was reportedly sold out as of Tuesday afternoon.
Currently, the Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience is offered daily at 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., and 3 p.m., except Sundays.
What makes pygmy hippos so appealing?
Interest in pygmy hippos surged online in July 2024 after Moo Deng’s birth at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, with videos and pictures of the baby hippo capturing millions of views across social media platforms.
A few months later, another pygmy calf named Haggis gained attention after she was born in October 2024 and resides at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo.
Considered the smaller relative of the common hippo, pygmy hippos have been labeled as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 2015. They weigh about half of what a common hippo does and are roughly one-fourth the weight of a full-grown common hippo, as per the Pygmy Hippo Foundation. These hippos are native to West Africa and live an average of 27 years.
Greta Cross is a trending national reporter at YSL News. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross.