The Cincinnati Zoo's baby hippo, Fiona, was born six weeks too early, but the timing was exactly what the world needed in 2017.People across Cincinnati and around the globe have followed her story since her premature birth on Jan. 24, 2017.
That smile! Those feet! We loved her from the start and followed her through the zoo's posts on its website and social media.
Fiona's caretakers helped support her with pool noodles while she learned to stand in the water. She supported her weight without assistance for the first time on Jan. 29, 2017.
Look at those legs!
Fiona's first few weeks weren't easy, and sometimes it looked like she might not survive. This next photo from Feb. 4 shows how zoo caretakers held her close to help regulate her breathing.
Fiona took her first steps on Feb. 5!
Feb. 6 was a good day, too. Fiona drank more formula from her bottle that day than she ever had up until that time.
On Feb. 10, Fiona graduated to the "Big Kid" pool - another step in the right direction for the little hippo.
On Feb. 13, the zoo explained that Fiona was teething. Anyone who has cared for a teething baby could relate. Fiona's first National Hippo Day was Feb. 15.
But later that month, Fiona was struggling. the zoo asked Cincinnati Children's Hospital for help. Two nurses from the hospital's Vascular Access Team inserted an IV that would stay in Fiona's little leg to give her the fluids she needed to survive.
By the time Fiona was one month old on Feb. 24, she had outgrown two pools and was strong enough to have her IV removed.
By Feb. 27, baby Fiona had reached 60 pounds - more than doubling her birth weight of 29 pounds. Her caretakers at the zoo said her spunky personality was starting to show, too.
The zoo couldn't resist releasing this photo of sweet Fiona for "Fat Tuesday" on Feb. 28. she looks so comfortable!
By April 1, Fiona's molars were starting to break through as her teething continued.
Like so many babies, fiona loves to play. she was playing with a sprinkler on April 5 IN THE next PHOTO.
The media got to see Fiona floating around Hippo Cove like a star on May 31.
Fiona's introductions to her dad, Henry, had to proceed more slowly. But by Father's Day on June 18 they were getting to know each other. henry gave her whole baby face a big, loving lick through the safety barrier between them.
By July 7, Fiona was two feet tall at the shoulders and 55 inches from her nose to her tail, with a tail measuring nine inches long. Weighing in at 365 pounds, Fiona had finally caught up to the expected size of a full-term baby hippo.
Fiona, Bibi and Henry were able to start spending time together by July 11.
By July 18, the family reunion was complete. Fiona, Bibi and Henry were officially a happy bloat of three!
Fiona celebrated her half birthday on July 24. the Zoo released the next photo of Fiona hamming it up on July 25.
By July 28, Fiona weighed more than 400 pounds, She had become big enough that her caretakers could no longer spend as much time with her because it would be too easy for someone to get hurt accidentally.
The zoo announced Fiona would have her very own show on Facebook! The Fiona Show debuted on Aug. 29.
Another big milestone for the zoo's growing baby hippo: fiona reached 500 pounds on Sept. 23.
Remember this Lucky couple? Fiona photobombed their engagement picture. This photo made it onto national tv.
Nick Kelble, right, popped the question to Hayley Roll with what appeared to be Fiona's blessing. This is the photo Hayley Roll posted on Instagram.
The zoo announced sad news Oct. 31. Fiona's dad, Henry, had been sick and suffering from an infection for months. Zoo staff determined his quality of life was declining rapidly and euthanized him that morning. people left notes with their condolences at the zoo.
Fiona fans spent much of November worrying about how she and Bibi were coping with the loss of Henry. By early December, there were several groups prodding Time Magazine to name Fiona its "person of the year." The lobbying didn't work. But there's always 2018!
Baby's first Christmas!
The love for Fiona spread to many different of products - from t-shirts and ornaments to cookies and ice cream. WCPO and several other companies even published books about her.
It's hard to believe Fiona is one year old! It doesn't seem that long ago that the zoo released its very first picture of her, an ultrasound of bibi on Jan. 9, 2017.
A bit difficult to make out, but there's a tiny spine visible. Photo courtesy of the Cincinnati Zoo.
