News and Stories

The Queen of the Queen City is Turning 6! 

Cincinnati Zoo and area businesses celebrate Fiona’s birthday   

CINCINNATI, OH (January 20, 2023) – Cincinnati’s beloved hippo Fiona will be six years old on Tuesday, January 24!  Celebrations at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden will be low-key due to the uncertainty of January temps, but the Zoo and area businesses are marking the occasion with goodies and prizes.  Fiona will, of course, receive a cake fit for a Queen and the Zoo will share that via Facebook Live at 2 p.m. EST.  Virtual members from around the world will also be able to see her enjoying her cake!! 

Photos | video (six year compilation) 

“It looks like it will be warm enough for the hippos to be out in the afternoon, so visitors may be able to wish her a happy birthday in person.  There’s also the option to watch the birthday action on the live hippo cam that’s available to members and virtual members,” said Cincinnati Zoo director keeper Thane Maynard.  

The Zoo is encouraging Fiona fans to give a $5 birthday gift.  Everyone who gives a gift will receive a digital Fiona kiss, and one lucky person will win the Ultimate Hippo Getaway and get to meet all four Cincinnati Zoo hippos (see prize details below)! 

Celebrations around the city include: 

• Graeters Ice Cream - Get Chunky, Chunky Hippo in store or online in January.  
• Rookwood Pottery – Choose from the Fiona Collection.  

• Zoo Gift Shop – Offering a limited edition Tie Dye Fiona Custom Plush 
• Fiona books – Available at your favorite book retailer or in the Zoo shop 
• Coffee Emporium – Order Fiona’s Blend coffee  
• Cincy Shirts – Shop the Fiona Collection  
• Listermann Brewing Company – Special Fiona Brew 

Ultimate Hippo Getaway Details 

The Ultimate Hippo Getaway Grand prize winner receives: 

• A Behind the Scenes tour to meet all 4 hippos! 
• $1,000 Visa gift card 
• Two-night hotel stay at the Zoo’s Official Hotel – the Graduate Cincinnati 

• $50 gift card to Fiona’s Bar & Grill located in the Graduate Cincinnati 
• Five tickets to the world-famous Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden 
• Complete library of Fiona books illustrated by Richard Cowdrey 

How to participate: 

• A $5 birthday gift gives you a digital Fiona kiss and one entry to win the grand prize!
   

• A $20 birthday gift also gets you the digital Fiona kiss and gives you 5 entries to win the Ultimate Hippo Getaway.
   

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!  Enter as many times as you like, now through Jan. 31st. 

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden opens daily at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. Penguin Days, now through March 10, features deeply discounted admission and Penguin Parades on select days.  For more information, visit cincinnatizoo.org.