The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden announced Bibi the hippopotamus gave birth to her second calf, a boy.
The zoo went on birth watch in early July after Bibi’s first calf, Fiona, was born six weeks early in 2017 and was significantly underweight, requiring zoo staff to care for her.
BILL O’REILLY CALLS FAUCI ‘NOT A TRUTH TELLER,’ DOESN’T WANT ANOTHER COVID-19 SHOT
“We’re just happy that the calf is healthy,” Cincinnati Zoo Director of Animal Care Christina Gorsuch told WXIX. “The sex didn’t matter much to the hippo team, but it will be interesting to observe and compare the behavioral differences between a hand-raised girl and a mom-raised boy. Will this calf be as comfortable with humans as Fiona is? Will he be less independent? Will he love cameras?”
The zoo’s hippo team said the calf was born on Aug. 3. The team has yet to choose a name.
“Bibi and the baby are doing great together,” Gorsuch said. “They are inseparable, which is why it took almost five days to be sure about the sex. They will continue to bond inside for another week or two. Fiona and Tucker are outside, so visitors will still be able to see hippos when they come to the zoo.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
In 2017, Bibi gave birth to Fiona, who survived after weighing 29 pounds — 25 pounds lighter than the then-lowest recorded hippo birth weight. Fiona was too small to nurse, as a typical calf would, and had to be cared for by the zoo’s staff.
