Fiona the preemie hippo is taking her next big step towards a normal life with her parents. Her care team has introduced her to the outdoor pool after operating hours, with employees playing the part of the adoring public.
17 thoughts on “Fiona Update: Out and About”
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I suspect those employees are actually *part* of Fiona’s adoring public—no role-play required.
She looked concerned at first but her expression lightened when she saw her care givers.
She looks so tiny in that big space!
Yes! She still looks so small!
I was thinking at first “She’s getting so big!!!” but then in some of the wide shots it’s easy to see she’s still a wee baby.
Yes, same thought here – she seems such a big animal ’til you get perspective – I’ll bet when she gets next to her parents in the pool it will be an even more startling contrast. Gosh, I love those folds over her hind feet – and there was an especially beautiful leap, stretched out and graceful. What a wonderful experience for all of us to see her grow and prosper.
She has come so far so fast! I realize she’s still tiny as hippos go, but her development has been marvelous. Her care team deserves a lot of credit for their outstanding work in raising her!
Fiona: “Ehn! Ehhhhhnnn!”
*breaks surface*
Gaahh
Ah, nice to start the day with a Fiona video. She is just so cute. Lots of ear flippies right at the beginning too. happy sigh.
Has she seen fish before?
Das one happy hippo
What a brave girl! When the fishies swam by I awwwed out loud. Such fun.
So much to love.
The cheering staff.
The adoring ‘public’.
First sight of fish.
Tiny snorts.
All the ‘eh’ moments.
THE HIPPO PADDLE!
Go Fiona!
A parent’s job is to eventually render him or herself unnecessary. Fiona’s caregivers are doing well.
I love how she looks like she’s flying under the water. She needs a Supergirl cape!
She’d probably chomp on it.
Good! Her chompings are adorable!
I was surprised to see fish in the hippo tank. It’s entirely realistic to their natural habitat, of course (as would be vegetation and some crocodiles) but for the zoo it seems like a complication — another species to care for (it looks like just one kind of fish, so it would be only one extra species). If they drain the tank for maintenance, they have to catch the fish and put them in a holding tank. They have to feed them. I’m glad they’re there — Fiona seemed to enjoy them — but I’m surprised. I realize zoos combine species in one habitat all the time — African savanna or whatnot. Aquariums routinely contain dozens of species. But the hippo tank, really?
Fiona must be the most expensive hippo in history. Scuba time is not cheap. Her intensity of care is amazing. I’m glad they have the resources. But wow, somewhere there’s a bean counter running a meter on her, and the total must be impressive.