🦛 Fritz
Common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) · Hippo Cove, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Ohio, USA
Lives in Hippo Cove
Fritz was born at the Cincinnati Zoo on 3 August 2022 to 23-year-old Bibi, who was on contraception at the time - which is where his name comes from, the birth control being 'on the fritz'. The zoo took more than 90,000 name suggestions from every US state and over 60 countries, shortlisted two, and Fritz won the public vote with 56%. He grew up as the loud little brother in the most-watched hippo family on the internet, and by 2026 keepers were training him to vocalise on cue.
What they do
Surfaces so only his eyes and ears show, cranks his jaw open into an enormous pink gape, then snaps it shut and spins his little ears to shake off the water..
The little brother in every sense - loud, permanently hungry, and pestering his big sister until she moves.
Lore
- ★Born 3 August 2022 to 23-year-old Bibi, whose birth control had failed - hence the name 'on the fritz'.
- ★The naming contest drew over 90,000 suggestions from all 50 US states and more than 60 countries; Fritz beat Ferguson with 56% of the vote.
- ★He is trained to hold still for blood draws, mouth checks and ear checks, and in 2026 keepers were teaching him to 'speak' on command.
Helping the real one
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Where this comes from
- FOX 5 Washington DC Meet Fritz: Cincinnati Zoo names baby hippo, brother to Fiona ↗
- CityBeat Cincinnati The public can now see Fritz the baby hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo ↗
- Yahoo Lifestyle Cincinnati Zoo teaches Fritz the hippo to 'speak' (19 May 2026 status check) ↗
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