Meet Poppy the baby pygmy hippo in person: What to know about meet-and-greet, ticket cost
Americans who have fallen in love with Moo Deng no longer need to travel to Thailand to see a baby pygmy hippo in person.
The Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia is now offering exclusive meet-and-greets with its new baby pygmy hippo, Poppy, for a limited time. The now one-month-old hippo first made headlines after her birth last month, following the social media fervor surrounding Thailand's pygmy hippo Moo Deng this past summer.
Here's what to know about the Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience.
Who is Poppy, the baby pygmy hippo?
Poppy was born on Dec. 9, 2024, to the Metro Richmond Zoo's resident pygmy hippos Iris and Corwin. Poppy is Iris and Corwin's third calf in four-and-a-half years.
Poppy's birth was unique, as it was Iris' first time giving birth in water. Most common hippos give birth in water, but pygmy hippos also can give birth on land.
Earlier this month, Poppy received her name from a poll of four options that generated more than 116,000 votes across 165 countries. The other name options included Juniper, Hammie Mae and Omi.
What does the Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience include?
According to the Metro Richmond Zoo, the Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience is 30 minutes long and includes:
A guided behind-the-scenes tour of the Hippo Haven habitat's indoor pool.
Wading into the water near Poppy and Iris, with a safe barrier inbetween.
Potential opportunities to feed Poppy and Iris.
Learning more about pygmy hippo behavior and conservation from a zoo team member.
The experience is limited to up to four people and participants must be at least eight years old. Waders will be provided to participants.
How much does the Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience cost?
The Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience costs $175 per person. The Metro Richmond Zoo's $26 admission is required separately and is not included in the Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience ticket price.
How do you book the Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience?
Guests can book the Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience for a limited time through the Metro Richmond Zoo website.
According to the website, the last day to book the experience is March 1, though that date was already sold out as of Tuesday afternoon.
Until then, the Poppy Pygmy Hippo Experience is available at 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. every day but Sunday.
Why are pygmy hippos so popular?
Talk of pygmy hippos began to circulate online in July 2024 after the birth of Moo Deng at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. Videos and photos of the baby pygmy garnered millions of views on social media.
A few months after Moo Deng's birth, a female pygmy calf named Haggis claimed social media fame. Born in October 2024, Haggis resides at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's Edinburgh Zoo.
Pygmy hippos, thought of as the common hippo's smaller cousin, have been classified as endangered since 2015 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They are about half the size of common hippos, weighing less than one-fourth the full size of an adult common hippo, according to the Pygmy Hippo Foundation. Pygmies are native to West Africa, and their average life expectancy is 27 years.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: You can now meet-and-greet with baby pygmy hippo Poppy. What to know
