Female calf Fiona was born two months early – but she is thriving
An adorable baby hippo born two months premature and unable to live is seen healthy and happy in these incredible photos.
The female calf Fiona was born prematurely at the Ciпcinппati Zoo and needed special care to get through the first few weeks.
Adorable baby Fiona’s life is truly in the balance after she was born prematurely – but she’s still healthy and happyCredit: Caters News Ageпcy
The little warrior is 25 pounds lighter than the lowest recorded birth weight of a Nile hippoCredit: Caters News Ageпcy
Fiona talks to an employee at the zoo while having fun. Credit: Caters News Ageпcy
Fiona when she was first born and staff feared she wouldn’t survive. Credit: Caters News AgeпcyWeighing only 29 pounds, she was 25 pounds lighter than the lowest recorded birth weight of a Nile hippopotamus, making her a record breaker since day one.
While staff were initially worried that little Fiona wouldn’t survive, she is gradually getting better.
The images show the little hippo happily jumping out of the bottle, swimming through a medical examination and preparing to splash around in the water.
Hungry hippos come and jumpCredit: Caters News Agency
The female calf needs 24/7 emergency careCredit: Caters News Ageпcy
Hippos spend just over eight months in the womb – but Fiona only spends two months in the womb before giving birth. Source: Caters News Agency
Hippos are one of the largest living mammals, although you wouldn’t know it from looking at Fiona Credit: Caters News Ageпcy
At 200 years old, Fiona is a far cry from her early days.Credit: Caters News Ageпcy
Zookeepers call her “strong and sassy”. Source: Caters News Agency
The little hippo opens its mouth wide in this photo. Source: Caters News Agency
She still requires regular medical checks but staff are optimistic about her resultsCredit: Caters News Ageпcy
Fiona can’t join her parents right now, but it won’t be long before she can play with mom and dadCredit: Caters News Ageпcy
Although hippos spend most of their time in water, they cannot swim. Source: Caters News Agency
Fiona has reached 200 lbs and is learning how to move in waterCredit: Caters News Ageпcy
She’s working on getting stronger before she can join her parents outdoors, but staff say she’s ready.
A zoo spokesman said: “She grew up to be a strong and sassy hippo!
“She was over 200 pounds and realized that if she didn’t want to do something, all she had to do was sit down.”
The Ciпcinппati Zoo is where beloved gorilla Harambe was tragically shot dead after a toddler fell into his neighborhood last May.
In February, a much-loved hippo was killed after a “cowardly” attack at the National Zoo of El Salvador.
Zoo director Vladan Henriquez said at a news conference that the hippos were covered in bruises and wounds after being attacked with metal bars, knives and rocks.
