Cincinnati Zoo Under 24-Hour Baby Watch as it Waits for Fiona the Hippo's New Sibling to Arrive

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Cincinnati Zoo/Facebook

Fiona the hippois about to become a big sister!

After announcingBibi the hippo’s pregnancywithdad-to-be Tuckerin April, the Cincinnati Zoo is now under a 24-hour birth watch for Fiona’s younger sibling, according toWLWT5.

Bibi is due in mid-August, but the hippo’s birth window could be 30 days before or after the estimated due date, so the zoo is ready for Fiona’s sibling to arrive at any moment.

When Fiona was born in 2017, she only weighed 29 pounds, 25 pounds less than the lowest ever record weight for her species. Ahead of her sibling’s arrival, Fiona celebrated one of her own accomplishments.

“Fiona finally hit 2,000 pounds! She weighed in at 2,036 pounds this morning!” the zoo shared onInstagramin July. “We’re so proud of how far she has come! 🦛🎉🎉🎉 #TeamFiona”

The Ohio zoo officially announced Bibi’s pregnancyin a release in April.

“The hippo team is excited and also nervous,” Eric Byrd, the manager of Cincinnati Zoo’s Africa team, said in a statement about the pregnancy.

Reproductive physiologists at the zoo’sCenter for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW)are working with Bibi’s caretakers to ensure the mother hippo gets everything she needs during the pregnancy.

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

The Cincinnati Zoo teased that a new hippo was on the way on National Siblings Day, April 10, when itposted a photo of Bibi’s ultrasound on Facebook.

The zoo followed up this clue with anotherFacebook post featuring a shot of three large watermelons and one small watermelon.

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Fans of Fiona and her family can keep updated on Bibi’s pregnancy on thezoo’s social media accounts, according to the Cincinnati Zoo.

source: people.com