Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in Ohio has initiated a new program to keep the public connected to its beloved animals during its temporary closure to help stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The popular Cincinnati zoo is offering Home Safari Facebook Live sessions seven days a week. These engaging sessions will also be available on its website and YouTube channel, allowing everyone to join in the fun. This is especially exciting for fans of Fiona the hippopotamus, who captured hearts globally when she was born six weeks prematurely in January 2017, weighing only 13kg, significantly below the average hippo calf size of about 23kg.
“That day three years ago is both a blur and a memory that’s etched in my mind,” shares Christina Gorsuch, Cincinnati Zoo’s curator of mammals. “I’ll never forget walking into the hippo barn and seeing this tiny, slimy thing on the ground next to Bibi, her mom. We were shocked that she was alive and spent the next several months focused on keeping her that way.”
Fiona received around-the-clock care from a dedicated team of caregivers at the Cincinnati Zoo, alongside emergency assistance from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital during critical moments, while the world cheered for her survival. Today, Fiona is thriving and has become the zoo’s most popular resident. The affection for her continues, with fans from all over the world excited to watch her online.
In addition to Fiona, viewers can enjoy spotting other adorable creatures during the daily Facebook sessions, including Moe the sloth and Kris the baby cheetah. “We’re bringing the zoo to people who are stuck at home,” explains director Thane Maynard. “This zoo is crucial to the community, and the inability to visit creates a void we’re striving to fill. Our daily live sessions aim to provide entertaining and educational content for those at home.”
Make sure to watch the Home Safari Facebook Lives here.
Stay updated with the latest travel-related COVID-19 news here.
