According to the Richmond-area zoo, pygmy hippos are an endangered West African species, and only 2,500 mature hippos remain in the wild. Officials said pygmy hippos are distinctive from regular hippos because they do not live in groups and are usually solitary or in pairs.

An endangered pygmy hippo has been born at a Virginia zoo. The yet-unnamed female was born Dec. 9 at Metro Richmond Zoo in Moseley, Virginia.

The Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia announced the newest addition to their animal family, a baby pygmy hippo, just in time for the holidays.

The Richmond Metro Zoo announced on Dec. 24 the birth of a baby pygmy hippopotamus at their facility. The baby was born on Dec. 9 and is the third calf for the pygmy hippo parents Iris and Corwin. It’s the second time the zoo has seen the birth of a hippopotamus right before the holidays.