News and Stories

Cincinnati Zoo Celebrates Creatures Great and Small in May During Zoo Babies

CINCINNATI (April 29, 2022) – Big babies and little ones are included in Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Zoo Babies class of ’22, presented by General Electric Credit Union!  The smallest, a sibling for Fiona the hippo, is due to make an appearance later this summer!

“Babies are born throughout the year, but we like to celebrate them during the month of May when the weather is warm and most of them can be outside,” said Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard. “You can find them all over the Zoo. Reptiles, mammals, insects, and birds! Unfortunately, visitors might not see all the birds this month.”

Most of the baby birds, and their parents, are being cared for behind the scenes right now to protect them from exposure to wild birds and avian flu.  The Zoo hopes to get them back out after spring migration.

Throughout May, signs will mark the spots where babies, and expectant moms, can be found at the Zoo. Bring the special moms in your life to the Zoo on Mother’s Day, May 8, and they will receive FREE admission!  In addition, the first 2,500 moms will receive a souvenir magnet, courtesy of General Electric Credit Union.

“Baby animals are great ambassadors for their species,” said Maynard. “When guests meet these babies, we hope they are inspired to care about them and their wild counterparts.”

The Zoo’s most famous baby, Fiona, is now five years old but still has that baby face that the world fell in love with in 2017 when she was a tiny, premature hippo fighting to survive. Other big Zoo Babies include Western lowland gorilla Elle, Eastern black rhino Ajani Joe and giraffe boys Theo and Fenn. Click here for a complete list of this year’s Zoo Babies.

Most of the babies that are born in accredited Zoos are not the result of a happy accident or special stork delivery. Expert matchmakers from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs put careful thought into which animals should be put together for breeding. The goal is to make Zoo populations as genetically diverse and healthy as possible. That doesn’t mean surprises don’t happen from time to time. Fiona’s mom Bibi surprised us all when we found out she is expecting and due later this summer!

Zoo Babies starts May 1 and runs through May 31!  The event is FREE with regular Zoo admission. The Zoo opens daily at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. Cincinnati Zoo members enjoy early entry at 9am. All memberships are on sale through April 30. For more information visit cincinnatizoo.org.