Ellen the pygmy hippo was named because she loves water, a marked contrast to most members of her endangered species which, unlike the common hippo, generally prefer dry land.

"Ellen loves the water, just like her namesake, and spends a lot of time paddling about in the pool," said Kathleen Standen, a senior keeper at Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland.

The baby hippopotamus was born on 22 January, the fourth offspring of 11-year-old Leah.

The newly-honoured Dame Ellen (28) sailed into fame last week when she broke the record for the fastest solo yacht circumnavigation of the globe, completed in 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds.

AFP