Bibi, the 23-Year-Old Hippo, Gives Birth to a Baby Boy at a Cincinnati Zoo

June 4, 2024 Doris de Luna

World-famous hippo Fiona, who's been hand-raised at the Cincinnati Zoo, now has a baby brother!

Her mother, Bibi, recently gave birth to a bouncy baby boy who weighed double what Fiona weighed when she was born.

Photo: YouTube/Newsweek

"We're just happy that the calf is healthy. The sex didn't matter much to the hippo team, but it will be interesting to observe and compare the behavioral differences between a hand-raised girl and a mom-raised boy," said Christina Gorsuch, Cincinnati Zoo's director of animal care. "Will this calf be as comfortable with humans as Fiona is? Will he be less independent? Will he love cameras?"

Yes, this healthy boy, who's already inseparable from Bibi, will be raised by his mom, unlike Fiona. Fiona was born premature and severely underweight, which was why it was the zoo staff who took over parental responsibilities for her.

Photo: YouTube/Newsweek

Calling themselves #Team Fiona, the guys carefully researched what and how to feed the premature hippo and take care of her needs 24/7. It took two years of TLC to help Fiona pass the critical stage of her development, but #Team Fiona succeeded, with Fiona celebrating her 5th birthday last January.

And just weeks after the new baby was born, Fiona and her little brother are starting to bond together. Bibi is understandably very protective of her newborn, but Fiona is learning a lot from her mom about how to treat the new tiny member of their family.

Everyone is so excited about Bibi's bigger family, with thousands of people participating online to come up with a name for Fiona's baby brother.

And guess what name Cincinnati zoo has chosen for their new hippo star? Fritz!

For everyone who wants to read more news and updates about this wonderful hippo family, you can easily check them out at the zoo's Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and other social media accounts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7soB6G8GiK8

Doris de Luna

For more than 20 years now, I’ve been devoting my heart, energy, and time to fulfilling my dream, which – many people may agree – is not among the easiest aspirations in life. Part of my happiness is having been able to lend a hand to many individuals, companies, and even governments as an investigative journalist, creative writer, TV director, and radio broadcaster.

At home, I spend my free time learning how to cook various cuisines. Tiramisu, chocolate mousse, and banoffee pie are my favorite desserts. Playing with our dogs, Mushu and Jerusalem, is also a special part of my day. And, of course, I read a lot – almost anything under the sun. But what really makes me feel alive is meeting people from various walks of life and writing about their stories, which echo with the tears and triumph of an unyielding spirit, humanity, and wisdom.

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