Bibi’s baby watch: 7 signs that the pregnancy is progressing perfectly

Hippo Cove is stirring with signs that Bibi and her pregnancy are on track.

Senior hippo keeper Jenna Wingate recently provided The Enquirer with the latest developments on Bibi, her prenatal calf and the upcoming arrival (fingers crossed) of famous Fiona‘s little sibling at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Hippo Cove.

Ready? Here’s what’s new:

● The Cincinnati Zoo’s Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife scientists got a good ultrasound view of Bibi’s fetus on May 24 and estimated its heart rate as healthy at 90 beats per minute. The little one’s rib span is also growing.

● Bibi is gaining weight, but who can see 144 pounds on a hippo? The weight change compares Bibi’s November 2021 weight of 3,482 to a June 2 weigh-in that registered her at 3,626 pounds.

● Bibi is taking a progesterone supplement to help maintain her pregnancy.

● Babyproofing has begun inside the hippo barn! (Translation: Keepers are making sure gaps aren’t big enough for Bibi’s baby to slip through and wander away.)

● Bibi is still the boss of Hippo Cove letting her 5-year-old daughter Fiona and mate Tucker know when she doesn’t want to play.

● Bibi is sometimes a bit slow to join Fiona at the training wall if she’s napping. That’s to be expected.

● The Cincinnati Zoo has launched a virtual membership package that includes a live feed that shows Hippo Cove. To join, go to cincinnatizoo.org and click on the Virtual Memberships tab.

PROVIDED This ultrasound image is from May 24 and shows that Bibi’s fetus is doing well, according to Bibi’s keepers at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. So is mom, the keepers report.

AMANDA ROSSMANN/THE ENQUIRER Bibi and Fiona swim in their habitat at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Fiona was born in 2017 and Bibi is expecting a calf by late summer.