Additional Coverage:
Metro Richmond Zoo Welcomes Baby Hippo
The Metro Richmond Zoo is celebrating the birth of a female pygmy hippopotamus calf, born on December 9th. The calf is the third born to parents Iris and Corwin in the past 4½ years and is the second to be born around Christmastime.
Public Vote for Name
The zoo has launched a public vote to name the calf. The options are:
- Poppy: A tribute to her mother’s floral name
- Juniper: A nod to her winter birthday
- Hammie Mae: A “sweet and southern” reference to Virginia ham
- Omi: The Yoruba word for “water”
Poll Results
In the first 24 hours of the poll, over 14,000 votes were cast from around the world. The zoo has not yet revealed which name is leading.
Second Vote if Necessary
If no name receives an outright majority, there will be a second vote with the top two contenders. The poll closes on December 31st at 2 p.m., and the winning name will be announced on New Year’s Day.