A pregnant hippopotamus at the Cincinnati Zoo gave birth to a baby hippo just 6 weeks before scheduled. The baby, who was named Fiona, had to receive special care from staffers at the zoo because of her early birth. Most baby hippos are around 60 pounds when they’re born to term, but Fiona was only 29 pounds. This meant staffers had to care for her every hour of the day by doing things like controlling the temperature of her environment and making sure she had a lot of time to sleep. There were also special times for her to feed and receive snuggling too.
Fiona is now a star on social media as the staffers have recorded her for the last 4 months or so. The cuteness that Fiona inhibits makes her videos fun and beloved across the world. Once you see them, you’ll be in love with her too.
Here’s Fiona taking her first wobbly steps:
Since she’s so small, her human pals have had to help her get stronger:
Fiona’s care team tries to keep her active to help her build muscle that she will need to propel herself to the surface of a 9ft deep pool! pic.twitter.com/78ATMt9RZi
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) 20 May 2017
A lot of love on social media
Here she is, meeting her dad, Henry:
Cincinnati Zoo baby hippo Fiona is getting closer to her parents, but still staying safe in her own space. Dad Henry stops to check her out. pic.twitter.com/myyOCKPVyW
— MansfieldNewsJournal (@MansfieldNJ) 23 May 2017
As Fiona continues to grow, the many facets of her complex personality are really starting to show! #FridayFeeling https://t.co/k9W3TT2q7z pic.twitter.com/3Q3oLjFlPa
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) 19 May 2017
What are bubbles?Fiona isn’t sure!Caring for our animals includes providing them w/enrichment & introducing them to new stimuli like bubbles pic.twitter.com/FGX0WJcLaL
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) 27 May 2017
Fiona can hold her breath for up 2 min.! She naps in the large pool and uses the hippos unique ability to surface for air without waking up.
Fiona can hold her breath for up 2 min.! She naps in the large pool and uses the hippos unique ability to surface for air without waking up. pic.twitter.com/4VUBDBdGIu
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) 23 May 2017
Divers will be with Fiona her 1st time out. To get her used to tanks, masks, flippers & extra bubbles, she’s being introduced to them now! pic.twitter.com/zWe6h6aVrJ
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) 11 May 2017
Cheers! Brewery creates new beer inspired by Fiona the baby hippo at Cincinnati Zoo https://t.co/wVLwwIKNW9 pic.twitter.com/tf7ukr9L9d
— fox8news (@fox8news) 26 May 2017
Fiona has come a long way. Her care team have monitored her diet carefully for the past 4 months & she is now up to a healthy 265lbs. pic.twitter.com/h2C5drARUp
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) 28 May 2017
Fiona the hippo enjoying a shower is refreshingly cute! pic.twitter.com/kSydePLqQR
— Kathie Lee and Hoda (@klgandhoda) 21 April 2017
