Poppy, the Pygmy Hippo, is a lovely new addition to the Metro Richmond zoo, and is making a stir online, raising awareness for her endangered species.

She was born on December 9th, 2025 to parents Iris and Corwin.

The staff announced her arrival three weeks later, reportedly by the zoo staff, with her swimming right away. 

She has been compared to other popular hippo superstars, such as Moodeng in Thailand and others. 

After her birth, the Richmond zoo held polls to name the adorable baby, the first round leaving two names: Poppy, a flower name like her mother, or Hammie Mae, a southern tie to Virginia ham, with Poppy eventually winning out for the baby’s name. 

She has received global adoration, her own naming poll reportedly receiving 52 thousand votes from 119 countries, all showing her love. 

She eventually got her own live cam, from popular demand, showing us a peek into Poppy’s daily activities. Later on, the Zoo now offers a pygmy hippo experience: guests can now get up and close with Poppy, offering a way to interact with her in person.

Poppy is joining a league of baby pygmy hippo icons, with the likes of Moodeng, a internet celebrity originating from Thailand who was even parodied on SNL, and Haggis born in Edinburgh, Scotland. 

These internet stars are not only a great source of attention and revenue for the zoos, but also for raising awareness for their endangered status in the wild. According to the IUCN, there are only an estimated 2,000 wild pygmy hippos, their main habitats being the wetlands and savannas of West Africa, with their  population decreasing daily. 

Their habitats are constantly being threatened by deforestation for lumber, with the encroachment of mining operations also destroying their environments. 

With the newfound adoration and attention these babies bring, hopefully they will also bring that attention to the issues they face in the wild, and help preserve the species they represent.