We are Proud to Report the Rumors are TRUE!!

A Male Hippo will be moving into Hippo Cove with Bibi and Fiona!

Tucker is Here!

Here is what we know so far:

Tucker, an 18-year-old male Nile hippopotamus, arrived in Cincinnati the night of 9/6
He weighs at least 4,000 pounds (Bibi =3,500 and Fiona = 1,800), possibly as much as 5,000
Tucker has lived at the San Francisco Zoo for the last 10 years.
They called him Bruce, a tribute to San Francisco Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy.
He was born 5/18/2003 at Disney, and his official name is Tucker. That’s what we will call him.
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Hippo Species Survival Plan (SSP) recommended that Tucker move to Cincinnati to be Bibi’s companion and to enjoy being part of a hippo pod.
If a baby is in their future, it will be way down the road before that happens.
There are no plans to try to produce a baby any time soon. Bibi is on birth control so we can better control the due date.
Bibi (age 22), Fiona (age 4), and Tucker will live as a threesome until the SSP recommends breeding.
Our hippo habitat was designed for up to 4 hippos, so it will be a fine home for Bibi, Fiona, Tucker and a little one down the road.
Bibi and Tucker will get to know each other by being in close proximity in the indoor habitat before they share the same space. After that, they will explore the outdoor habitat together.
It may be a few weeks before visitors catch a glimpse of Tucker.
Fiona will become familiar with the new hippo by seeing, smelling, hearing, and observing him with Bibi. She will share space with Bibi and Tucker once they are comfortable with each other.
We will try our best to limit the times when Fiona will not be visible to the public, during the introduction period, but will make an announcement on cincinnatizoo.org whenever her absence is necessary.
Male hippos have a funny way of pooping. They spin their tails like a propeller and spray feces everywhere.
A date for Tucker’s public debut has not yet been set but will be posted on cincinnatizoo.org when we have that information.
While not considered endangered, Nile hippos share ecosystems with many critically endangered species including elephants and rhinos.

For more information, Check out this article:

Click Here for the Link

Click Here to see Tucker Barnhardt, Cincinnati Reds Catcher, welcome the New Tucker in town!

Click Here to see a Video of Tucker in San Francisco

We are Proud to Report the Rumors are TRUE!!

A Male Hippo will be moving into Hippo Cove with Bibi and Fiona!

Tucker is Here!

Here is what we know so far:

Tucker, an 18-year-old male Nile hippopotamus, arrived in Cincinnati the night of 9/6

He weighs at least 4,000 pounds (Bibi =3,500 and Fiona = 1,800), possibly as much as 5,000

Tucker has lived at the San Francisco Zoo for the last 10 years.

They called him Bruce, a tribute to San Francisco Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy.

He was born 5/18/2003 at Disney, and his official name is Tucker. That’s what we will call him.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Hippo Species Survival Plan (SSP) recommended that Tucker move to Cincinnati to be Bibi’s companion and to enjoy being part of a hippo pod.

If a baby is in their future, it will be way down the road before that happens.

There are no plans to try to produce a baby any time soon. Bibi is on birth control so we can better control the due date.

Bibi (age 22), Fiona (age 4), and Tucker will live as a threesome until the SSP recommends breeding.

Our hippo habitat was designed for up to 4 hippos, so it will be a fine home for Bibi, Fiona, Tucker and a little one down the road.

Bibi and Tucker will get to know each other by being in close proximity in the indoor habitat before they share the same space. After that, they will explore the outdoor habitat together.

It may be a few weeks before visitors catch a glimpse of Tucker.

Fiona will become familiar with the new hippo by seeing, smelling, hearing, and observing him with Bibi. She will share space with Bibi and Tucker once they are comfortable with each other.

We will try our best to limit the times when Fiona will not be visible to the public, during the introduction period, but will make an announcement on cincinnatizoo.org whenever her absence is necessary.

Male hippos have a funny way of pooping. They spin their tails like a propeller and spray feces everywhere.

A date for Tucker’s public debut has not yet been set but will be posted on cincinnatizoo.org when we have that information.

While not considered endangered, Nile hippos share ecosystems with many critically endangered species including elephants and rhinos.

For more information, Check out this article:

Click Here for the Link