CINCINNATI – It’s a boy!
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden appeared on NBC’s “Today” show Monday morning to announce the sex of the zoo’s newest hippo calf, who was born last week.
Bibi the hippo gave birth to a healthy, full-term calf on Aug. 4, her second calf and the first sibling for the world-famous Fiona.
“We’re just happy that the calf is healthy,” Cincinnati Zoo’s director of animal care, Christina Gorsuch, said in a news release. “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?”
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As of Monday, the calf still did not have a name, but the zoo is taking submissions through its website and plan to announce it this week.
Bibi and the calf have been doing great, Gorsuch said, and will stay inside for another week or two.
Fiona and the new hippo’s dad, Tucker, will remain outside and visible to visitors.
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