Premature baby hippo fights for survival in Cincinnati Zoo

by Dramelin 12:30 PM 0 comments baby bibi birth born calf care cincinnati fights gorsuch hippo premature staff survival zoo

Cincinnati Zoo staff have begun 24-hour critical care for a baby hippo that was born around six weeks early. The zoo said 17-year-old Bibi gave birth early on Tuesday to the first Nile hippo born there in 75 years. The zoo said vets and animal care staff were providing round-the-clock care for the baby of Bibi. Mammals curator Christina Gorsuch said staff were giving the calf fluids and keeping it moist and warm. The female calf had not been expected until March and at only 29lb (13kg) it fell well below the normal range of birth weight of 55 to 120lb, the zoo said.