Hippo Baby News

Posted on By Amber Suttmiller

Bibi and Baby Talking Points!

Bibi gave birth to a baby on National Watermelon Day, August 3, 2022 around 10pm.

Our Baby Hippo has a name!!  Welcome to the Cincinnati Zoo Fritz! Check out the Articles below to learn more about the name:

Click Here for the Zoo’s Press Release

Click Here for an article from the Cincinnati Enquirer

  • Hippo Cove is open but may be closed at times during introductions
    • Hippo Cove will be closed in the morning this week on Monday (8/15), Tuesday (8/16) and Wednesday (8/17)
  • Live cams may also be off during introductions.
    • As we receive more information on when the cameras will be on, we will pass along information to you.  They will be turned off for the Monday Shifts.
  • Bibi and Fritz are inseparable!
  • It’s a BOY
    • Keepers have chosen Fritz as the baby’s name.  See the articles above for more information.
  • Bibi’s first baby, Fiona, was born six weeks premature and wouldn’t have survived without the intervention of her human caregivers.
  • The baby’s sire, Tucker, moved to Cincinnati in 2021.
  • Ages:  Bibi is 23 and Tucker is 19. Fiona is 5.
  • Hippo moms take their newborn babies away from the bloat for about two weeks in their natural habitat.
  • Fiona is not leaving. There is enough space for 3 adults and a calf.
    • When the calf is larger, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan will recommend the best place for the calf to go. That’s probably 3-4 years down the road.
  • Progress is moving forward at Bibi’s pace for introductions to the other hippos and other areas of the habitats.

https://cincinnatizoo.org/news-releases/fritz-explores-outside/

Check out the latest Podcast from Team Africa all about the new baby Hippo. 

Click Here to Listen to the Podcast

Fun Facts

  • Bibi gave birth to Fritz and Fiona in the same stall.
    • Typically Hippos usually give birth in the water, but Bibi has chosen to give birth on land both times.
  • Fritz had his first steps within the first hour and was steady on his feet around midnight (around 2 hours old).
  • Around 11:30am on 8/3, the baby was recorded nursing first time.  Hippo babies typically nurse underwater so it is hard to confirm, see and hear.  This behavior has been consistent with what was seen with Baby Boy, he has been nursing in the water.
  • Bibi and Fritz didn’t come out of the pool until Friday 8/5.  She wouldn’t even come out of the pool completely to eat…which her Keepers say is one of Bibi’s favorite things to do.
  • As of Friday 8/5, Fritz comes up for air every 20-30 seconds.  The keepers will keep track of how quickly the amount of time underwater increased.
  • Hippos sink in water and do not float, but the keeper staff has noticed that the baby’s bottom is somewhat buoyant and looks like a little “Floating Potato”. <Fun Visual for guests – The Keeper staff says that is what Baby Boy looks like when floating in the water>
  • On August 12th Fritz weighed in at 102lbs.  Hippo calves gain about 2-3lbs per day.
    • UPDATE: On August 16th Fritz weighed 114lbs.
  • Fritz has 6 teeth coming in.
  • Bibi is being a really great Mom and she has been doing “all the right things”.  The Keeper staff is so impressed!
  • What can Visitors do to help Wildlife:
    • Recycle your Plastics – Any discarded plastic can run the risk of ending up in waterways and can cause harm to wildlife.  By recycling Plastics you are not only helping wildlife by reducing pollution, you are also helping to protect our resources and creating jobs.
    • Kroger is accepting all kinds of plastic recycling, not just Kroger bags.  (plastic wrapping around purchases, bubble wrap)  They are working with Terracycle and they are paying the fees to ship everything to be recycled.
      • You can ship them from home on your own, or bring them into your local Kroger stores and place them in the recycling receptacles typically found at the front of the stores.
    • Watch the Video Below and/or Click Here to Learn More about the Program

Check out the Comparison photo of both Hippo babies at one week old!

Fritz (Left) and Fiona (Right)

Videos

 

 

 

What about Tucker and Fiona?

They are anxiously awaiting the chance to meet the new addition. Check out the Video below of Fiona and Tucker enjoying Hippo Cove while Bibi and Baby are bonding behind the scenes.