Cincinnati Zoo names prematurely born hippo – Fiona

CINCINNATI – A baby hippo born prematurely at the Cincinnati Zoo has a name — it’s Fiona (fee-OH’-nuh).

The zoo’s mammal curator Christina Gorsuch says members of the team giving the week-old female calf 24-hour care thought the name that means “fair” was a perfect fit for the “fair little girl.”

The zoo says 17-year-old Bibi gave birth six weeks early Jan. 24 to the first Nile hippo born there in 75 years.

Staffers have been working to help her grow, get stronger and learn to nurse on her own. They keep her close enough to her parents so they can hear and smell each other.

Gorsuch says Fiona still has a long way to go and isn’t “out of the woods yet.”

The zoo is providing updates on its website.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.