Jakarta – One of the highlights of 2024, both in the real and online world, was the arrival of Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo from Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
Moo Deng became so viral that it even inspired a pop song translated into four languages. However, Moo Deng’s fame in 2025 may be under threat, thanks to a new pygmy hippo stealing the spotlight: Poppy.
Poppy Cam
Poppy resides at the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia, United States. On January 13, 2025, the zoo officially launched “Poppy Cam” on its YouTube channel, according to Mental Floss.
The livestream showcases Poppy’s life with her mother, Iris. The public can watch this baby pygmy hippo’s daily life from 9 AM to 5 PM EST or 9 PM to 5 AM WIB.
From swimming, playing, sleeping, to even defecating, the stream captures it all. The zoo team also shares random facts about pygmy hippos, including their diet and behavior.
Born at the End of 2024
Like Moo Deng, Poppy quickly became a sensation. Her birth was announced by the Metro Richmond Zoo on December 24, 2024.
The name “Poppy” was suggested by internet users. Over 100,000 name suggestions were submitted from 165 countries.
Top name choices included Poppy, Hammie Mae, Omi, and Juniper. Ultimately, the zoo chose “Poppy” as the name for the pygmy hippo baby.
Endangered Pygmy Hippos
Pygmy hippos are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List since 2015. According to Flora and Fauna, the exact number of pygmy hippos in the wild is unknown due to their secretive habits.
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) estimated their population at only 2,000-2,500 in 1993. Since then, their numbers may have declined further. The subspecies C. liberiensis heslopi, once found in Nigeria, has already gone extinct.
The primary threats to their survival are habitat loss and poaching. Pygmy hippos live in forests, but deforestation, mining, and agricultural activities have destroyed their habitats, bringing them closer to human settlements. Consequently, they face greater risks of being hunted and disturbed by humans.
