Cincinnati Zoo baby hippo in critical condition after premature birth

UPDATE (1/26) - The Cincinnati Zoo says the baby hippo, born six week early, is hanging in there.

She continues to receive 24-hour attention, which includes tube-feedings, vet checks and keeping her warm and moist. She is gaining some strength.

Wednesday morning she got her first pool experience. Most hippos are born in the water, but they can’t actually swim.

Pool time will help her build muscles and balance and maintain an optimal body temperature of 96-98 degrees.

UPDATE (1/25) - The Cincinnati Zoo says the baby hippo born six weeks premature on Tuesday morning, remained stable overnight and is receiving around-the-clock intensive care from Zoo vets and animal care staff.

Her mom, Bibi, is doing fine and, because of her experience standing still for ultrasounds, is allowing milk to be collected.

Vets are adding mom’s milk to a fluid mixture that is being tube-fed to the baby.

She is still too weak to stand but the nutrients she’s receiving should help her gain strength.

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - The Cincinnati Zoo's Nile hippo Bibi gave birth Tuesday morning but the baby is premature and in critical condition.

The Cincinnati Zoo says the calf was not expected until March. She is just 29 pounds, which is 25 pounds lighter than the lowest recorded birth weight for this type of hippo. Typically they weigh 55 to 120 pounds at birth. "We are giving her fluids and keeping her moist and warm,” said Christina Gorsuch, curator of mammals at the Cincinnati Zoo. “Her little system is underdeveloped, and getting her to a healthy weight will be a challenge. Vets and animal staff are doing everything they can to get her through this critical time.”

Staff are milking Bibi so they can give the calf her milk. They hope she'll be able to nurse when the baby gets stronger. The calf will be separated from Bibi until she can get on her feet and nurse on her own.

The baby made history when zoo scientists got the first ever ultrasound image of a Nile hippo fetus early this month. She is the first Nile hippo born at the Cincinnati Zoo in 75 years.