Story courtesy Cincinnati Zoo

CINCINNATI, OH (August 16, 2022) — Two-week-old baby hippo Fritz and his mom Bibi explored the outdoor habitat at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Hippo Cove for the first time yesterday morning.

Cincinnati Zoo’s director of animal care Christina Gorsuch

“The habitat introduction went pretty much as we hoped it would. Bibi, followed closely by Fritz, came out right away and walked into the pool. She showed great maternal instincts and used her body to block Fritz from spending too much time in deep water. He went under to nurse and explore a little but stayed right by mom.”

They spent a little over an hour in the water and then headed back to the indoor habitat where they’ve been bonding since Fritz was born on August 3, 2022. Fritz’s big sister, Fiona, and dad, Tucker, went back outside after mom and baby came in.

Gorsuch added-

“We will continue to expose Fritz to the habitat more and more in the coming days. Once we’re confident that he and Bibi are comfortable in all corners of that space, visitors will get a chance to see them.”

Look for updates about when you might be able to see Fritz on Cincinnatizoo.org and on  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,TikTok, and YouTube.

Hippo Cove will be closed during introductions, and the live hippo cams (available to members and virtual members) will be turned off.

Summer Adventure is presented Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Honda Dealers.

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