Zoo wants your help to name their new baby hippo

New baby hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Photo credit Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

The world-famous Fiona the Hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo has a new sibling, and you have a chance to help name the calf.

The baby hippopotamus was born August 3 and yesterday, zoo officials determined it is a boy!

The baby was born to 23-year-old Bibi, who was actually on birth control when it was discovered she was pregnant around April Fool's Day earlier this year.

Bibi's first baby, Fiona, weighed only 29 pounds when she was born six weeks prematurely in 2017 and was too small to stand or nurse on her own. The zoo team shared their journey caring for Fiona, who made headlines and touched hearts around the world.

The new calf weighs at least twice as much as Fiona did and is already walking on his own, according to the zoo.

"Bibi and the baby are doing great together. They are inseparable, which is why it took almost five days to be sure about the sex," Christina Gorsuch, the zoo's director of animal care, said in a statement. "They will continue to bond inside for another week or two."

The team has not yet chosen a name for the calf and is looking for suggestions. If you have one, you can submit it here. The zoo will review submissions and announce the name later this week.

Mom and baby will not be visible to the public right away, but the zoo will share photos and videos on social media. The zoo also has live hippo cams available to guests with memberships.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden