They Weren't Sure This Premature Hippo Would Make It, But Look At Her Today!

By Editorial Staff in Nature On 13th February 2017
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#1

Zookeepers at the Cincinnati Zoo have been working around the clock to help ensure the safety of a newborn hippopotamus.

#2

Fiona the hippo was born on January 24, nearly six weeks early, and weighed in at just 29 pounds. (Traditionally, a newborn hippo weighs anywhere from 55 to 120 pounds.) Shortly after her birth, Fiona was separated from her parents -- she's getting special attention from the zoo until she can stand and nurse entirely on her own.

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#3

Fiona is kept just close enough to her mother so that they can hear and smell each other.

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#4

The tiny hippo calf has experienced bouts of low energy and fatigue.

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#5

Zookeepers will bottle-feed Fiona until she is able to nurse independently. During feeding time, carbon dioxide is absorbed into her lungs, causing her oxygen levels to dip.

#6

Staff has been keeping her chest to chest so that she can feel what it's like to breathe normally.

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#7

Recently, Fiona’s health took a surprising turn for the better. Free from fatigue, the small hippo was able to stand and take her very first steps!

#8 Since taking these steps, Fiona is said to be vastly improving and has also spent a good chunk of the night nursing on her own.