Piper the three-week-old pygmy hippo takes her first dip in the pool

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 20:42 EDT, 3 September 2026 | Updated: 20:45 EDT, 3 September 2026 An adorable pygmy hippo has been photographed taking her very first dip in a pool.Three-week-old Piper made a splash at Edinburgh Zoo on August 25 following her mother Gloria into the water before she went on a solo paddle.Piper then plucked up the courage to swim a lap of the pool and even took a moment to inspect a piece of driftwood.After the tiring expedition, the baby hippo enjoyed a much needed rest back by her mother's side in the water.When it was finally time to get out of the pool and dry off, hoofstock team leader Jonny Appleyard stepped in to give the tiny semi-aquatic mammal a helping hand.The pint-sized pygmy hippo was born in the zoo on July 31 to parents Otto and Gloria, just days after it was announced Piper's mother was pregnant.Zookeepers picked the name Piper following her first health check which confirmed she was a female weighing just below 5.5 kilograms. Three-week-old baby pygmy hippo Piper takes a tentative step down towards the water for the first time Piper follows in her mother, Gloria's footsteps to make a splash in the pool at Edinburgh Zoo The pint-sized hippo who was named after the bagpipes by zookeepers inspects a piece of driftwood in the waterShe is now being cared for by her mother while she gains confidence and grows in strength which she will undoubtedly do.Adult female pygmy hippos can grow up to 3ft in height, around 5.5ft in length and weigh anywhere between 160 and 270 kilograms. Celebrating Piper's arrival, Jade Robertson, senior hoofstock keeper at Edinburgh Zoo, said: 'We all felt she was a wee girl from the moment we met her so it is good to have that hunch confirmed! 'We went with Piper because she's like a little bagpipe always making cute little huffs and puffs.'Ms Robertson added: 'She's still only a dot at the moment weighing just under 5.5 kilos. 'She will soon start piling on the pounds because her mum's milk is so rich and nutritious'As Piper gets bigger we'll start to see more of her personality. She will become more adventurous and confident spending time exploring her home while still sticking close to Gloria.'Get your news delivered straight to you by 7am - sign up to our new Morning Mail newsletter for FREEDo YOU have a story? Email joshua.haining@dailymail.co.uk