Hip-hippo hooray!!

My son greeted the news of a new hippo exhibit at the Milwaukee County Zoo with a big smile and an effusive hooray.

The announcement was perfectly timed for our in-house hippo fan. That's because on our most recent visit to the zoo, he not only got to view one of the polar bears swimming under water, said bear was playing with a toy, bumping his bulky body up against the window and offering close-up views of his massive furry paws. Much to the delight of the crowd gathered there and especially to my son, who -- right up against the glass -- was mere inches from the bear.

The idea of being able to see his hippos like that was bound to be a winning proposition.

The zoo unveiled its plans for the new exhibit -- expected to cost anywhere from $9 million to $12 million -- Wednesday in front of the current hippo home outside the family farm and next to the elephants.

The new exhibit, which is kicked off with a $1.75 million donation from the Dohmen Family Foundation, will have a large aquarium -- replacing the small pool -- with windows allowing viewers to see the hippos swimming. It will be one of just 10 such hippo exhibits in the U.S.

The money from the Dohmen Foundation will pay for the design of the exhibit and an endowment to maintain the completed exhibit.

A statement from the zoo suggests that current hippos Puddles and Patty will get some company when the exhibit is completed, noting, "the extra space will let the Zoo house at least three adult animals and several youngsters."