A new member is joining Fiona the hippo's family.
Tucker the hippo arrived at the zoo's Hippo Cove with care staff Monday night after a journey from San Francisco.
The 18-year-old, 4,500-pound hippo was named Tucker when he was born but was known as Bruce at the San Francisco Zoo, a tribute to the San Francisco Giants' manager Bruce Bochy.
“We will call him Tucker, since his San Francisco nickname wouldn’t have the same meaning in Cincinnati as it did in the Giants’ hometown,” Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard said. “Besides, we have our own baseball connection here. Tucker will join Cincinnati Reds’ catcher Tucker Barnhart at the top of the most popular Cincinnati Tuckers’ list."
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Tucker will be the new partner for Fiona's mother, Bibi. According to the zoo, the new pair will take things slowly and spend their time by the pool bonding and sharing beets, squash, melons and hay.
"If a baby is in their future, it will be way down the road before that happens,” Cincinnati Zoo’s director of animal care, Christina Gorsuch said. "Bibi and Tucker will get to know each other by being in close proximity in the indoor habitat before they share the same space. After that, they will explore the outdoor habitat together. It may be a few weeks before visitors catch a glimpse of the new guy.”
Once the couple can demonstrate they are comfortable with each other, four-year-old Fiona will join them.
Fiona's care team will do everything possible to maximize her outdoor time during the introduction period, and the zoo will post information on its website on the days she will not be visible.
The date for Tucker's public debut has not yet been set. For more information, visit cincinnatizoo.org.
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