Eh, I don't love the immediate expansion of a herd that already is a little pressed for space. The zoo really seems bent on having big groups of megafauna when the masterplan is brought to fruition. If they want to hitch their wagons to hippos as a flagship species, then they need to raise money and build an exhibit that can accommodate a larger group. Big giraffe exhibits sound cool and I have no idea what happens to Giraffe Ridge, but it seems kind of silly to have two potential big and open spaces and not use them as an expanded hippo complex.
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Cincinnati Zoo Hippos
- Thread starter RhinoHippoElephantGiraffe
- Start date
I’d say the bull, based on the media hype they’re building up around Fiona becoming a big sister. It’d be bad PR to immediately ship her out and be perceived as breaking up families.
With Fiona now at reproductive age, it’d be simpler to maintain a herd of Bibi and her two offspring - with an introduction being possible around six months.
This would work especially well if the unborn calf is female (they may have already confirmed this) as they could then maintain a cohesive herd of 0.3 without the need to contracept the females.
The zoo recently posted a clip showing all three hippos together, however the clip is titled "Pregnancy hormones must be kicking in" and shows Bibi and then Fiona behaving aggressively towards Tucker. The zoo is using it as a fundraiser video, but I'm concerned the zoo is focusing a bit much on hype rather than animal safety. I don't know a lot on Hippo management but I think Cincy may be starting to push their luck here.
RhinoHippoElephantGiraffe
Well-Known Member
I think Fiona may be pregnant already! Her stomach is looking a little fatter than on her 5th birthday. This behavior may mean Fiona is pregnant, or at least she and Tucker have mated at least once.
The zoo has stated already that because of her birth complications and smaller size, Fiona isn't capable of getting pregnant yet (if ever, potentially). I'm not sure why you think her behavior here means she may be pregnant, or may have mated with Tucker?
The new Cincinnati Zoo (within the last 5-7 years give or take) will do everything to publicize and market anything regarding the hippos and megafauna unfortunately
Given what this species are capable of, this is a very minor altercation with the bull almost immediately backing down before it escalates. Unless there was a newborn calf in the mix, I'd say it's unlikely these confrontations would progress to the point where any of the animals are injured. That said, Bibi is clearly indicating a desire for space and given her history of premature births, it'd be prudent to reduce any unnecessary stress.
Fiona's reaction is typical of a much younger calf (which represents her developmental age rather than her chronological age). She initially appears scared of the confrontation, retreating behind Bibi; but then mock displays at the bull with the confidence she has her mother's protection. That will soon wear off with Bibi well and truly putting the distance between them as she prioritises her newborn.
In other news, the pregnancy is progressing well with staff hoping for a full term birth: Bibi's pregnancy: Cincinnati Zoo releases updated ultrasound
Also this isn't news-related but more speculation on where Fiona would go because I think I found something nobody else has picked up on (put on your tin foil hats everyone):
I've noticed while doing a lot of zoo news on different threads that zoos usually announce when they have acquired an animal either outright or not at all. Strangely I have noticed a different trend, which is more rare but it seems to hint at something. There was some Facebook posts a couple months back of Pueblo Zoo making a fake Tinder post with the Hogle Zoo's red panda, saying that their red panda was interested. Sure enough, a couple months later it was announced that the Hogle zoo acquired that red panda for breeding.
Now what does this have to do with hippos? Well, it just so happens that the San Antonio Zoo has been writing "love letters" to Fiona from their hippo, Timothy. Now this is probably a stretch, including the fact that San Antonio has been writing these posts since like 2018, but there is a very slight chance that this is hinting at Fiona eventually moving to Texas.
I've noticed while doing a lot of zoo news on different threads that zoos usually announce when they have acquired an animal either outright or not at all. Strangely I have noticed a different trend, which is more rare but it seems to hint at something. There was some Facebook posts a couple months back of Pueblo Zoo making a fake Tinder post with the Hogle Zoo's red panda, saying that their red panda was interested. Sure enough, a couple months later it was announced that the Hogle zoo acquired that red panda for breeding.
Now what does this have to do with hippos? Well, it just so happens that the San Antonio Zoo has been writing "love letters" to Fiona from their hippo, Timothy. Now this is probably a stretch, including the fact that San Antonio has been writing these posts since like 2018, but there is a very slight chance that this is hinting at Fiona eventually moving to Texas.
I don't think so. The massive group of Fiona fans decided at some point that Timothy was her best match for breeding, because of his age and genetics. San Antonio is playing into that. If anything, Timothy would come to Cincinnati, they're not letting her go anywhere. They still aren't sure if Fiona can breed at all because of her birth issues and smaller size.
Yep there’s no way Fiona’s leaving Cincinnati. Regarding her possibly not being able to breed, the keepers are confident she will, but she may become sexually mature later than normal.
If anything, San Antonio’s only making such posts in the hope of trying to get possibly the worlds most famous hippo! Fiona would surely continue to bring crowds in at San Antonio.
Also, if Fiona does get a breeding recommendation, the zoo has already mentioned the male would be coming to Cincinnati.
I would interpret this as nothing other than a publicity stunt by San Antonio Zoo to capitalise from Fiona’s fame and appeal to their social media followers. I’m sure they’d love to acquire Fiona, but there’s no way the Cincinnati Zoo would relinquish their number one cash cow (hippo). She continues to generate a significant amount of money for the zoo and is probably on the verge of earning her keep through souvenir sales alone.
With regards to her breeding in the future, it’s difficult to say. My assessment of her is that she’s delayed in development. Her behaviour is similar to that of a juvenile rather than a young adult female and in accordance with her physical development (size). I imagine she’ll grow a little more, but at five years old she should be close to full size by now.
RhinoHippoElephantGiraffe
Well-Known Member
AMAZING NEWS!:
On Tuesday, July 5th, 2022, the zoo announced on Facebook that Fiona the hippo has hit the 2,000 pounds mark.
On Tuesday, July 5th, 2022, the zoo announced on Facebook that Fiona the hippo has hit the 2,000 pounds mark.
RhinoHippoElephantGiraffe
Well-Known Member
@Jambo I TOTALLY agree with you that Fiona will stay in Cincinnati for the rest of her life and that she won't be able to have a calf for at least a few years.
RhinoHippoElephantGiraffe
Well-Known Member
Even more good hippo news! The birth watch for Bibi's baby hippo has begun.
Hippo placements:
Cincinnati have confirmed with a “99.9% certainty” what we’ve all predicted that Fiona isn’t leaving the zoo. They also state their long term plan is for Tucker to remain at the zoo:
According to Wingate, the zoo's dream is to have Tucker stay at the Cincinnati Zoo for the rest of his life. Keepers always follow the Species Survival Plan, which determines which animals breed based on genetics. Once they've moved a couple of times in their lives, they try to keep the third place the hippo's final home.
Fiona reaches milestone, weighing in at over 2,000 pounds
Cincinnati have confirmed with a “99.9% certainty” what we’ve all predicted that Fiona isn’t leaving the zoo. They also state their long term plan is for Tucker to remain at the zoo:
According to Wingate, the zoo's dream is to have Tucker stay at the Cincinnati Zoo for the rest of his life. Keepers always follow the Species Survival Plan, which determines which animals breed based on genetics. Once they've moved a couple of times in their lives, they try to keep the third place the hippo's final home.
Fiona reaches milestone, weighing in at over 2,000 pounds
Common hippopotamus calf now full term - a cause of celebration for the zoo given Bibi’s last calf was premature:
Cincinnati Zoo hippo Bibi passes preemie point for calf's birth
Cincinnati Zoo hippo Bibi passes preemie point for calf's birth
Common hippopotamus calf due soon; bigger than Fiona’s size as a newborn:
Cincinnati Zoo's hippo mom Bibi nears end of pregnancy
Bibi is due in mid-August. Zoo officials said for hippos, the birth could be 30 days before or after the estimated due date.
The zoo announced earlier this month that according to measurements made during one of her latest ultrasounds, her fetus is bigger than Fiona was when she was born.
Cincinnati Zoo's hippo mom Bibi nears end of pregnancy
Bibi is due in mid-August. Zoo officials said for hippos, the birth could be 30 days before or after the estimated due date.
The zoo announced earlier this month that according to measurements made during one of her latest ultrasounds, her fetus is bigger than Fiona was when she was born.
RhinoHippoElephantGiraffe
Well-Known Member
An event called "Fiona's Sundae Fundae" will be taking place on "Sundae", July 31st, from 6-8 P.M. It will have a Greater's Ice Cream tasting at stations around the zoo.
Fiona's Sundae Fundae - Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden®
Fiona's Sundae Fundae - Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden®
