Cincinnati Zoo baby hippo is born: Bibi gives birth; Fiona is a big sister

It's official: Fiona is finally a big sister!

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden announced that Bibi the hippo gave birth around 10 p.m. Wednesday to a healthy, full-term hippo baby. 

The zoo has not yet revealed the name or gender of the calf but said it weighs at least twice as much as Fiona did at birth, and is already walking. 

“This calf looks huge to us because Fiona, Bibi’s first baby, only weighed 29 pounds when she was born six weeks premature and wasn’t able to stand on her own," Christina Gorsuch, Cincinnati Zoo’s director of animal care, said in a release.

Behind the sceneMore:'I heard a plop': Bibi the hippo's delivery shocked Cincinnati zookeeper

What is a hippo like in labor?:Here's what we know about Fiona's mom

Because the water is murky, it's also not clear yet if Bibi is nursing. This will be her first time since Fiona had to be cared for by hippo staff due to her premature status. The zoo said they are keeping a close eye on the mother and baby to make sure they don't need to step in. 

When did Bibi go into labor?

Beginning Tuesday, the zoo's hippo team noticed a difference in Bibi's behavior and shared that she was showing signs consistent with being in labor, including being restless outside and preferring to stay indoors. 

Bibi's baby:Cincinnati zoo keepers use own motherhood experiences to prep for Bibi's second born

When will we get to see the baby hippo?

Bibi and her baby will spend the next two weeks bonding behind the scenes and won't be visible to the public. The zoo plans to share photos and videos if the care team can

get them without disturbing the new baby and mom. 

“A female would take her newborn away from the bloat for about that amount of time in the wild, and we try to give Bibi the choice to do what feels natural to her," Gorsuch said. 

Where is Fiona the hippo right now?

In the meantime, Fiona and new dad Tucker will remain with each other and out of Bibi's way in the outdoor habitat, visible to the public, except during key introduction times.

Zoo members have access to live cams in the outdoor habitat and can watch the action in Hippo Cove daily, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Access to the live hippo cams is also available to virtual members. 

Can't get enough Fiona?:How to watch Fiona at home in the Cincinnati Zoo