Cincinnati Zoo’s Baby Hippo Is Thriving

Great and encouraging news from the Cincinnati Zoo, the home of Fiona, the baby hippo.

(Mirror Daily, United States) – Great and encouraging news from the Cincinnati Zoo, the home of Fiona, the baby hippo who was prematurely delivered.

According to Fiona’s caretakers, the baby hippo is doing a lot better than last week, wiggling her tongue and playing with the zoo’s workers. If things go well, the caretakers plan on reuniting Fiona with Bibi and Henry, her parents.

Fiona, the baby hippo, who was born on Sunday morning, is now doing a lot better, thanks to her caretakers’ love and dedication. According to the zoo, the baby hippo was born prematurely, and her vets were skeptical about her chances of survival.

The baby hippo took her first steps on Sunday morning, and her performance was recorded and posted on the zoo’s YouTube account. The one-minute-long video show baby Fiona as she tries to sit on all fours, and looking around her enclosure.

However, the baby hippo’s caretakers declared that the video only showed Fiona’s finest moments, but left out the details of her struggle to survive and thrive. Since she was born prematurely, Fiona was severely underweight.

For several days, the caretakers sat by Fiona’s bedside constantly, feeding her through a tube and helping her build up the strength she requires in order to return to her parents’ enclosure. In one the videos posted on Cincinnati Zoo’s social media accounts, one of the zoo workers explained that the baby hippo was so weak, that she couldn’t even pucker up her lips to suck milk from a baby bottle.

But with a little help and some love, the baby hippo is now on her feet, and ready to explore her new environment. Of course, the vets declared that although Fiona’s recovery is great news, they still need to take it one step at the time to ensure that nothing goes wrong.

As for Fiona, the baby hippo born prematurely, she is now enjoying her first bath, and she likes playing tricks on her caretakers.

According to the zoo’s spokespersons, the baby hippo was born six weeks ahead of schedule, and during the first few days of life, she had trouble breathing. But there’s nothing is impossible with tons of love and, of course, a little oxygen.

The Cincinnati Zoo enjoys the fact that it’s once again under the spotlight, but this time thanks to a positive event. We will keep you up to date if there are any more changes in Fiona’s development.

Image Source: Flickr

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Tara Hamilton

Tara has graduated from the University of Oregon, with bachelors degree in Spanish Literature in 2010. She lived in Miami for one year and travelled extensively before settling down in El Paso.