Spring is such an exciting time at the Cincinnati Zoo. With the gorgeous blossoming tulips, lively events and the arrival of several new “Zoo Babies”, spring is the ideal time to plan a visit. Spring is also the time of yearbooks, so to honor this tradition, we’ve decided to have a little fun with the newest members of the Cincinnati Zoo family.
Although these awards were not determined by vote, I’m pretty sure you won’t argue with my choices. And one thing we can definitely agree on is that you can’t miss a chance to see these adorable creatures up close!
Without further ado, here are the picks for the 2017 Cincinnati Zoo Baby Awards:
Most Popular: Fiona the Hippo (pictured)
Unless you’ve been living in an aquarium, you have likely heard of and seen videos of the zoo’s comeback kid. Fiona was born prematurely to parents BiBi and Henry and has made miraculous strides since birth. Now weighing in at over 200 pounds, she isn’t ready to be viewed by the public quite yet, but the zoo is hopeful she’ll make her public debut this summer. Cincinnati just loves #TeamFiona!
Prettiest Eyes: Chira, Batara & Izzy the Malayan Tigers
Have you seen these cuties?! You could sit all day in the Children’s Zoo and watch these little guys play. They were born in February and will be living in the Night Hunters section of the zoo, along with their parents. And be sure to check out those stunning baby blues!
Cheesiest: African Painted Dog Pups
So why would we give these playful pups an award for being the cheesiest? Well, with names like Nacho, Muenster, Bleu and Brie, how couldn’t we? This pack of a dozen pups was born in October and is so fun to watch! Their mother Imara sadly passed away at the beginning of April, so let’s all show them some love and go say hello.
Most Unique: Moyo the Okapi
Okapi may not be the most well known animal, but the staff at the Cincinnati Zoo may disagree. Moyo was the 16th Okapi born at the zoo since 1989 and she was named after the Swahili word meaning, “to have heart.” Her unique look and adventurous nature are sure to win your heart when you visit.
Most Hard-Headed: Pallina the Armadillo
Pallina isn’t quite as soft and cuddly as some of the others on the list, but don’t let her hard exterior fool you. She is incredibly intriguing to watch, especially if you can catch her or her parents in a rare moment where they can form themselves into a complete ball. Born February 28th, be sure to visit Pallina and her parents Lil and Titan.
Best Legs: Cora & Zoey the Giraffes
Cora and Zoey could be nominated for several awards, including tallest and most experienced, as they’ve been around the zoo since last summer. At around 6 feet tall when they were born, it’s so fun to watch them grow and slowly catch up to the adult members of their tower. (Fun fact: a group of giraffes is called a tower!)
Most Athletic: Harriet the Red Panda
Parents Lin and Harold welcomed sweet Harriet last June, so she’s almost one year old! Red Pandas may be smaller than their panda counterparts, but they are just as adorable and captivating. Their unique coloring sets them apart, but keeps them well hidden in nature. They spend most of their time in the trees and therefore are very physical and active with excellent climbing, jumping and balancing skills.
Most Likely to Be a Celebrity: Meg the Takin
Why is this adorable takin destined for Hollywood? Well, her parents are Harry and Sally (as in the movie) and her name is Meg (as in Ryan!). Get it?! This fuzzy, stocky baby will grow into a strong, beautiful adult. She was just born March 18th, so she is also the youngest of the group!
Be sure to head to the Cincinnati Zoo this May to celebrate all of the new Zoo Babies! All you have to do is look for the 6-foot tall stork signs and nearby you’ll find one of these adorable, award-winning babies, eager to meet their new Cincinnati friends. For more info on the Zoo, including Zoo Babies, check out their website here.
All photos courtesy of The Cincinnati Zoo Blog/Facebook.
About Andrea:
A native Cincinnatian, Andrea has experienced life in all four corners of this city. After growing up on the west side, she headed north to attend Miami University, then moved east to Hyde Park and now lives in Northern Kentucky with her family.
When she’s not playing trains and doing the “hot dog dance” as a stay-at-home mom to her two toddlers, Andrea is busy writing for Cincinnati publications and brainstorming ideas for her next children’s book! With a newfound passion for fitness and overall health, she spends a lot of time at her family gym and loves to play outside.
Andrea worked in education for several years and has a special love for children’s literature. She loves showing her children all our city has to offer and enjoys sharing her finds with other parents. Her favorite spots include the Cincinnati Zoo (although she steers clear of the bird house), her local library and any playground.
