News and Stories

Go on a Home Safari with the world’s most famous hippo at 3pm on 4/8

CINCINNATI, OH (April 7, 2020) –The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden closed to the public on March 15 but has been bringing the Zoo to millions with its daily Home Safari Facebook Livessince then.  Tomorrow, its most popular resident, Fiona the hippo, will be the star of the safari.

“We kicked off the Home Safari series three weeks ago with Fiona but people, especially our members, miss her and want to see what she’s up to,” said Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard. “She and her mom, Bibi, will be doing some paintings tomorrow.”

Anyone who adopts an animal between now and April 11^th will be eligible to win one of the Kiss paintings created by Fiona and Bibi during tomorrow’s Home Safari!*

Each Home Safari includes a chat and Q & A session with an animal care team member and an animal-themed activity that viewers can do at home using information they learned on safari!  The daily sessions have been wildly popular and have reached almost 50 million people!  All safaris and activities can be found on the Zoo’s Home Safari Resources web page.

“Kids and adults will get a big kick out of tomorrow’s activity,” said Maynard.  “Richard Cowdrey, who has illustrated three Fiona books, will demonstrate how to draw her and challenge Fiona fans to give it a try.”

Cowdrey’s most recent Fiona book, Fiona, Its Bedtime, is available at your favorite online bookseller starting today!

As a non-profit organization, the Zoo relies on ticket sales, zoo visits, memberships and donations to operate. Being closed is having a significant impact on its ability to operate. Please consider donating to Cincinnati Zoo’s Emergency Operating Fund to assist with the care of its animals and team members. Your support now is more critical than ever.

Other ways to support the Zoo during this difficult period including purchasing or renewingmemberships, ADOPTing animals, sending personalized Cameo messages from Fiona, or buying and wearing the  new custom t-shirt from Cincy Shirts.

* (All who have A.D.O.P.T.ed since March 15, 2020 will automatically be entered.) By becoming a Cincinnati Zoo A.D.O.P.T. parent, you help to provide world-class care to the animals you love!  Winners will be notified on Saturday, April 18, 2020.  http://cincinnatizoo.org/support/adopt/