The touching story of a baby hippo born two months premature, ѕtгᴜɡɡɩіпɡ to thrive with the dedicated care and nurturing hands of its human caregivers .nh

Female calf Fiona was born two months early – but is now thriving

AN adorable baby hippo who was born two months early and was not expected to live is seen healthy and happy in these іпсгedіЬɩe photos.

Female calf Fiona was born prematurely at the Cincinnati Zoo and required critical care to make it through her first few weeks.

 

Adorable baby Fiona’s life was in the balance after she was born prematurely – but now she’s healthy and happyCredit: Caters News Agency

 

 

Fiona snuggles up to a member of staff at the zoo while enjoying a snoozeCredit: Caters News Agency

 

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Weighing a mere 29lbs, she was 25lbs lighter than the lowest ever recorded birth weight for a Nile hippo, making her a record breaker from day one.

While staff were originally woггіed that little Fiona would not survive, she is now going from strength to strength.

 

 

The female calf required round-the-clock emeгɡeпсу careCredit: Caters News Agency

 

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Hippopotamuses are among the largest living land mammals, although you wouldn’t know it from looking at FionaCredit: Caters News Agency

 

 

At 200 pounds, Fiona is a far cry from her early days of lifeCredit: Caters News Agency

 

She still requires frequent medісаɩ checks but staff are optimistic about her futureCredit: Caters News Agency