Fiona the Hippo Turns 7! Cincinnati Zoo Shares Sweet Birthday Tribute
"Today is all about princess Fiona!" the zoo wrote about the hippo
Cincinnati Zoo/Instagram
Fiona the hippo is receiving a lot of love on her 7th birthday.
The Cincinnati Zoo celebrated its popular resident, who has been living there her entire life, in a sweet Instagram post Wednesday, featuring a compilation of videos of Fiona and a caption telling her story.
“Happy Birthday, Fiona! Today is all about princess Fiona! It’s hard to believe that 7 years ago today she crashed into our lives!” it reads. “There was so much uncertainty and fear when she was born so small and so early but she proved everyone wrong and secured a permanent place in all our hearts! She is resilient. She is a fighter. She is one-of-a-kind. She is Fiona! Happy happy Birthday Fiona!!”
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The post, which has nearly 800 comments wishing Fiona well wishes on her special day, concluded with a chance for followers to win an “Ultimate Hippo Getaway” in Fiona’s honor.
A second post documented each year of Fiona’s life, with clips of her as a baby hippo all the way until her 7th birthday.
“Take a walk down memory lane with us for Fiona’s 7th Birthday!” the caption says. “She went from being born six weeks premature and weighing 29 pounds to thriving and weighing in at a healthy 2,511 pounds today! 🥹🤩 #teamfiona”
Supporters in the comments gushed over Fiona’s photos and videos — and the role the Cincinnati Zoo has played in taking care of her.
“Thank you for making sure sweet Fiona has a wonderful life ! 💗🦛❤️🦛,” wrote one follower.
Related: Fiona the Hippo Has a Brother! Cincinnati Zoo Reveals Mom Bibi's New Calf Is a Boy
Another commented: “I cried watching this! It's so beautiful! Thank you Cincinnati Zoo keepers for your dedication and love for all in your care! ❤️❤️❤️”
Cincinnati Zoo/Instagram
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According to the Cincinnati Zoo website, Fiona became “world-famous” after they shared her story of being born too small to stand, requiring human care around the clock.
“By sharing her ups and downs with the world (every day for almost two years), she became a beloved symbol of hope and a source of inspiration for millions of people,” the site says.
She still lives alongside her mother, Bibi, who has another hippo baby — a son born in 2022 — named Fritz (by fans). The siblings have quite the fan base for all their adorable moments.
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