Fiona the hippopotamus could play a major role in her species' rebound. The world-famous hippo, who turns 4 this week at the Cincinnati Zoo, has genetics that are pretty valuable, her zookeepers said. She could play a critical role in bringing back a threatened species. Hippos are listed as a vulnerable, meaning they face a high risk of extinction in the wild. Officially, threatened species are those listed as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable. Hippos are listed as vulnerable due to widespread poaching for meat and ivory, as well as human encroachment. It is the eventual goal to have Fiona breed in an effort to increase her species' numbers, but the timeline on when she will be able to breed remains murky.We anticipate that she will not be sexually mature until about 5 or 6 years old maybe even later than that because Fiona was a preemie, said Wendy Rice, head keeper of Africa Department at Cincinnati Zoo.Fiona was thrust into the spotlight due to her remarkable survival story. Born six weeks premature at the Cincinnati Zoo on Jan. 24, 2017, Fiona weighed only 29 pounds at birth 25 pounds less than the lowest recorded birth weight for her species. But she has rebounded from near-death, now weighing a whopping 1,600 pounds, consistent with a normal hippo her age. Fiona has a long way to go until shes considered full grown. But shes on track and making gains every day, Rice said.Already, Cincinnati's once-baby hippo has reached a certain level of maturity. And, when she's ready, Fiona will likely attempt to breed.Her fate and her love interest will likely be determined by the Hippo Species Survival Plan, a cooperation of all zoos across the United States that house hippos and breed them. The group shares information about captive populations in order to maintain genetic diversity.With Fiona being Henrys only living offspring, her genetics are fairly valuable in that theyre not well represented in the population that we have," Rice said. "Its very likely that she will get a recommendation to breed someday.So what happens then? It's highly unlikely that Fiona would move away from Cincinnati, Rice said. Instead, expect a male suitor to arrive in the Queen City.If and when she gets a recommendation for a breeding partner, theres a really good chance that the boy would have to come to Cincinnati. We do not want to have our princess leave Cincinnati, and the whole city would probably riot if she moved away.But we're still talking at least a year -- probably more -- down the road. In the meantime, Fiona will focus on growing. Right now, Rice said Fiona is probably the human equivalent of a pre-teen girl. She's growing out of her sassy phase and becoming more and more independent of her mother. In the past, wherever Bibi was, thats where Fiona was. Just this past year, shes gotten a little bit braver and bolder. Shes also starting to read boundaries a little bit better with mom. She was pushing the envelope, trying to see what she could get away with. But shes kind of settled down a bit and matured, and she can now read mama really well, Rice said. Even as the hippo matures, Rice said her personality is here to stay.Shes still full of personality and shell still come out here and put a show on for her guests," Rice said." Shell come right up to the glass and make eye contact with people. She understands that theyre here for her and that shes kind of a big deal. I think she appreciates her fandom and tries to give them the best experience possible.

Fiona the hippopotamus could play a major role in her species' rebound.

The world-famous hippo, who turns 4 this week at the Cincinnati Zoo, has genetics that are pretty valuable, her zookeepers said. She could play a critical role in bringing back a threatened species.

Hippos are listed as a vulnerable, meaning they face a high risk of extinction in the wild. Officially, threatened species are those listed as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable. Hippos are listed as vulnerable due to widespread poaching for meat and ivory, as well as human encroachment.

It is the eventual goal to have Fiona breed in an effort to increase her species' numbers, but the timeline on when she will be able to breed remains murky.

We anticipate that she will not be sexually mature until about 5 or 6 years old maybe even later than that because Fiona was a preemie, said Wendy Rice, head keeper of Africa Department at Cincinnati Zoo.

Fiona was thrust into the spotlight due to her remarkable survival story. Born six weeks premature at the Cincinnati Zoo on Jan. 24, 2017, Fiona weighed only 29 pounds at birth 25 pounds less than the lowest recorded birth weight for her species.

But she has rebounded from near-death, now weighing a whopping 1,600 pounds, consistent with a normal hippo her age.

Fiona has a long way to go until shes considered full grown. But shes on track and making gains every day, Rice said.

Already, Cincinnati's once-baby hippo has reached a certain level of maturity. And, when she's ready, Fiona will likely attempt to breed.

Her fate and her love interest will likely be determined by the Hippo Species Survival Plan, a cooperation of all zoos across the United States that house hippos and breed them. The group shares information about captive populations in order to maintain genetic diversity.

With Fiona being Henrys only living offspring, her genetics are fairly valuable in that theyre not well represented in the population that we have," Rice said. "Its very likely that she will get a recommendation to breed someday.

So what happens then? It's highly unlikely that Fiona would move away from Cincinnati, Rice said. Instead, expect a male suitor to arrive in the Queen City.

If and when she gets a recommendation for a breeding partner, theres a really good chance that the boy would have to come to Cincinnati. We do not want to have our princess leave Cincinnati, and the whole city would probably riot if she moved away.

But we're still talking at least a year -- probably more -- down the road. In the meantime, Fiona will focus on growing.

Right now, Rice said Fiona is probably the human equivalent of a pre-teen girl. She's growing out of her sassy phase and becoming more and more independent of her mother.

In the past, wherever Bibi was, thats where Fiona was. Just this past year, shes gotten a little bit braver and bolder. Shes also starting to read boundaries a little bit better with mom. She was pushing the envelope, trying to see what she could get away with. But shes kind of settled down a bit and matured, and she can now read mama really well, Rice said.

Even as the hippo matures, Rice said her personality is here to stay.

Shes still full of personality and shell still come out here and put a show on for her guests," Rice said." Shell come right up to the glass and make eye contact with people. She understands that theyre here for her and that shes kind of a big deal. I think she appreciates her fandom and tries to give them the best experience possible.

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Fionas genetics are hugely valuable in species rebound - WLWT Cincinnati