Bibi gave birth to a healthy, full-term hippo at about 10pm on Wednesday night, giving Fiona a sibling. “This calf looks huge to us because Fiona, Bibi’s first baby, weighed just 29kg when she was born six weeks premature and couldn’t stand on her own. This new calf weighs at least twice Fiona’s weight and is already walking,” said Christina Gorsuch, director of animal care at the Cincinnati Zoo. “We’re not sure if breastfeeding has taken place because the water is cloudy. It’s Bibi’s first time nursing since Fiona had to be looked after by the hippo staff, so we’re keeping a close eye on them to make sure we don’t have to go in.’ The hippo team noticed a difference in Bibi’s behavior on the morning of August 2, and the zoo shared the news that she was showing signs consistent with labor. She was restless outside and then wanted to go inside and stay there. The team had to intervene when Fiona was born six weeks premature and too small and weak to reach Bibi to breastfeed. They hoped history wouldn’t repeat itself, and it seems it hasn’t. “Bibi and the baby, who has yet to be named, will spend the next two weeks bonding behind the scenes,” Gorsuch said. “A female would take her newborn away from the brooder for that amount of time in the wild, and we’re trying to give Bibi the option to do what feels natural to her.” Five-year-old Fiona and 19-year-old Tucker are happy to keep each other company and stay out of Bibi’s way while she bonds with the new calf. Keepers have been separating them from Bibi periodically for the past few weeks to get them used to being twins. They are so comfortable with each other now that 2000lb Fiona was seen sleeping with 4500lb Tucker. Mom and baby won’t be visible to the public right away, but the Zoo will share photos and videos if the care team can get them without disturbing them. Tucker and Fiona will be in the outdoor habitat as usual except for core admission times. See a spelling or grammar mistake in our story? Include the title when you do Click here to mention it. Copyright 2022 WXIX. All rights reserved.
