Birthday girl Fiona the hippo helps raise money for Australia wildfire animals

All proceeds from sales of special T-shirts will be sent to Zoos Victoria to help them care for suffering animals.

Fiona, a Nile hippopotamus, eats her birthday cake at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (John Minchillo/AP)

By Associated Press Reporter

An American zoo is marking the third birthday of a hippo who was born prematurely by raising money for Australian wildlife affected by the recent wildfires.

Instead of sending birthday gifts for Fiona, Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio is asking people to buy T-shirts that will directly benefit the Bushfire Emergency Wildlife Fund.