Pygmy Hippo Baby Enjoys Its First Swim (08 Jun 2011)

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Uploaded by on Jun 8, 2011

4.15pm UK, Tuesday June 07, 2011
The UK's biggest zoo has been proudly showing off a tiny new resident - Sapo the pygmy hippo.

(Pygmy hippos are just one of two remaining species of hippo left in the world)

The calf, now three months old, has taken his first swim at Whipsnade Zoo under the watchful eye of proud mother Flora.

Pygmy hippos are an endangered species, with fewer than 3,000 now left in the world.

Sapo, who will grow to weigh more than 250kg, is part of Whipsnade's Edge programme - dedicated to saving threatened species with a unique history.

As the name hippopotamus - which means water horse - suggests, Sapo enjoys nothing more than taking a dip.

Pygmy hippos are just one of two remaining species of hippo left in the wild.

Mark Holden, who leads the Africa section team for ZSL Whipsnade, said: "To have a pygmy hippo born is fantastic.

"Not only are they endangered, but pygmy hippos are really in vital need of protection to stop their numbers falling even more.

"The birth of Sapo will hopefully raise awareness of this wonderful animal and help its future survival in the wild," he added.

The calf has been named after the national park in Liberia where ZSL's field workers managed to capture the first pictures of pygmy hippos in that country.

Workers had feared there would be no trace of the animal after years of conflict.

The pygmy hippo is similar in appearance to its bigger cousin, the main difference being its eyes are on the side of the head rather than the front.

- Sky News

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