News and Stories

Celebrate Fiona’s 9h birthday and be eligible to win the Ultimate Hippo Getaway!   

CINCINNATI (January 12, 2026) – Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s beloved hippo Fiona will be nine years old on Saturday, January 24!  In honor of her birthday, the Zoo is offering a grand prize package that includes a behind-the-scenes tour, led by Cincinnati Zoo’s Thane Maynard, for 4 people to meet Fiona and Rico the porcupine.  The winner will also receive $1,000 in flight vouchers from Frontier Airlines and a two-night stay at the Summit Hotel, so Fiona fans from all over the country have a chance to see the Queen of the Queen City. 

Photos of Fiona | Ultimate Getaway Photos 

“I’m excited to be the tour guide.  I’m happy for any excuse to visit Fiona and love to see the joy she brings to her fans. This tour also includes a visit to see Rico the Brazilian porcupine.  I hear that he’s very popular on social media because of the sounds he makes when he eats corn and peanut butter!  We may get to see some snacking and lip smacking when we visit him,” said Cincinnati Zoo executive chair Thane Maynard. 

Are you feeling lucky? Here’s how to participate: 

• An $9 birthday gift gets you a digital Rico boop print and one entry to win the grand prize! 

• A $40 birthday gift also gets you the digital boop print and 9 entries to win.  

 The Zoo will be open on January 24 for anyone hoping to celebrate Fiona’s birthday or gather with fellow fans at Hippo Cove. Guests can enter for a discounted admission of $9 on her birthday. Although it’s expected to be cold, her care team is hopeful that Fiona will be able to spend a short time outdoors in the afternoon. 

Funds raised help provide food, toys, and fun enrichment for Zoo animals, so giving multiple gifts benefits the hippos and increases your chances of meeting them!  Purchase your gift for Fiona now through January 31, 2026, to be entered to win. The winner will be contacted by February 6, 2026. 

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden opens daily at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. Enjoy deeply discounted admission during Winter Discount Days, now through March 1. Guests can also celebrate Fiona’s birthday with 20% off hippo merch from January 23-26 (some exclusions apply).