The bloat of hippos at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has a new member. A baby born August 3 is making waves in the hippo pool. He joins mom Bibi, dad Tucker, and older sister Fiona. The care team is well-versed in sharing cute videos and updates thanks to Fiona the hippo, who is a social media star in her own right. The zoo named the baby hippo, Fritz, after suggestions from the public and a round of voting. The name suggestion came because Bibi’s birth control was “on the fritz,” leading to the unexpected addition. Video from the night the new baby was born (below) shows him following close behind mom. And even taking a dip with her in the pool.
The team at the Cincinnati Zoo was shocked at the size of the new addition. That’s because Bibi’s only other calf was born six weeks premature. Five years ago, Fiona the hippo weighed only 29 pounds at birth and had to be bottle-fed and taught to walk. The new calf is more than double that size and was walking within hours.
Fiona the hippo became a social media star as she sassed her way through all the milestones. And it’s likely her bouncing baby sibling will follow in those influencer footsteps. The two siblings met under the watchful eye of mom Bibi (video below) and have played together too.
From bottle-feeding to ballet, the zoo’s social media channels have great coverage of Fiona the hippo, her little brother Fritz, and the rest of the family. Especially the hippopotamus playlist on The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s YouTube channel. It’s certainly worth taking the time to explore.
If Moon Knight‘s hippo goddess Tawaret wasn’t enough to make you love hippos, hopefully the Cincinnati Zoo’s newest addition will be. And just to complete the trifecta, we highly suggest watching Oscar Isaac sing an original lullaby called “The Hippopotamus Song.” You can never have enough hippo content!
Originally published August 9, 2022.
Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. Hippos are her favorite animal. She even owns Fiona the hippo nose print art! Melissa also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth.
