Cincinnati Zoo's Premature Hippo Getting Mother's Milk

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden’s premature hippopotamus calf is getting stronger, and zoo officials said it’s because of milk they are getting from her mother, Bibi.

The zoo shared on Friday, January 27, video of the process of milking Bibi, who officials said is conditioned to lean in and remain still because of weekly ultrasounds throughout her pregnancy. She is comfortable with allowing the staff to collect her milk, the zoo said.

The calf’s care team gives her Bibi’s milk first and then supplement with formula prepared by the zoo’s nutritionist.

The zoo also plans to save samples of Bibi’s milk so it can be analyzed and added to the Smithsonian’s Milk Repository.

The baby female hippo was born on Tuesday, six weeks early. The zoo staff is giving her 24-hour critical care. Credit: Cincinnati Zoo via Storyful