Fiona showing off her diva face. Fiona tipped the scales at 317 lbs. this morning!! She has caught up weight wise to a full term baby hippo that is the same age.
Posted by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden [1] on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 [2]
When Fiona the hippo was born prematurely [3] at the Cincinnati Zoo, zookeepers weren't certain she'd survive — or that a children's book would be written about her. But that's the beauty of the internet, which made it possible for people to fall in love with Fiona and champion every step she takes to becoming a healthier hippo.
Fiona was born on Jan. 25, arriving six weeks too early and weighing 29 pounds. Her recovery was slow and steady and she started to gain weight and hang out in the water. As she's gotten better, the Cincinnati Zoo's tweeted updates about her health — and the internet couldn't be more excited for her.
good morning Queen of body positivity https://t.co/ImCuDMGTie [4]
— JuanPa (@jpbrammer) June 20, 2017 [5]
fiona the hippo has more self-confidence than i do https://t.co/oTYroaoRzP [6]
— bryce (@okthisisbryce) June 20, 2017 [7]
1 hour a day of outdoor pool is not gonna cut it. Fiona needs 24 hour privileges or y'all can let my FiFi go. pic.twitter.com/blyvijIZOo [8]
— bri (@bigshitxtalker) June 20, 2017 [9]
I have loved watching this little cutie pie baby - happy to see and hear things are going good. 😚😚😚 and hugs for them.
— Mrs Paula Babecki (@PaulaBabecki) June 17, 2017 [10]
plz @ me next time u post about fiona i love her so much
— ✨camⓋ✨ (@kindalikeulots) June 21, 2017 [11]
Me waiting on y'all to upload more pics of Queen Fiona pic.twitter.com/MwJmSaFTWb [12]
— 6/1/15 ❤👬 (@JahMari_Couture) June 15, 2017 [13]
Fiona's also received special attention from second and third grade students at Beach Elementary School in Cedar Springs, MI. The group of students created a book about her, available on Amazon for $11, called The Hippopotamus That Didn't Give Up! [14] Hopefully, Fiona keeps up her healthy path — we'll be watching for more cute photos and updates.