“This birth was unique as it was the first time Iris gave birth in water,” the zoo said. “While common hippos usually give birth underwater, pygmy hippo calves can be born on land or in water.

On Dec. 24, 1953, a 700-pound "baby" lumbered from her moving crate into the awaiting water at Oklahoma City's Lincoln Park Zoo. "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" had reached No. 24 on the ...

LaQuincey Reed sits next to a hippo statue at his studio in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, December 18, 2024. The OKC Zoo is planning to put its ties with the classic Christmas song “I Want a Hippopo ...