PHOTOS: Poppy the pygmy hippo’s first birthday party

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — It's Poppy's day! The pygmy hippo turned 1 year old earlier this month and Metro Richmond Zoo was more than happy to host a celebration party on Saturday.

Per the Metro Richmond Zoo, Poppy's first official birthday was on Dec. 9, when the zoo was closed due to a snowstorm.

The team held a belated birthday party for Poppy on Saturday, Dec. 27, at the Hippo Haven where guests, community members and Poppy's fans came out to celebrate the beloved hippo.

"She has been so loved by fans around the world," said Taylor Andelin, communications manager with Metro Richmond Zoo. "Today we're having a big celebration to celebrate her, her fans and her first birthday."

The zoo said it's also a day to celebrate pygmy hippos as they're an endangered species. Poppy and her mom, Iris, are two out of 2,500 pygmy hippos remaining in the world.

"Poppy and other famous pygmy hippos around the world have been able to bring a lot of awareness to this species that is facing threats in the wild," Andelin said.

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For her birthday gift, Poppy received an enrichment cake made from watermelon and carrots. The zoo said enrichment items encourage natural behaviors in animals seen in the wild.

"Turns out she likes to graze on the grass more than to enjoy the cake," Andelin said.

Poppy currently weighs about 250 pounds. She enjoys snacks like sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin and leafy greens, per the zoo.

Poppy will reach her full size around age three. To learn more about Poppy, visit Metro Richmond Zoo.