Animal Stories We Love – And Why We Share Them

Credit: (Facebook posts) Clearwater Marine Aquarium post about Winter, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Fiona post

People don’t usually just love a species.

It starts with something they see. A face. A moment. A personality. 
Maybe it was a hippo you saw snorting bubbles on your feed. Or a dolphin in a book. Maybe it was a plush lion, a waddling penguin on a school trip, or the otter that always made you laugh at your local zoo.

Somewhere along the way, an animal made you feel something—and that’s when it happened. A connection.

If we’re lucky, we meet animals up close—at a zoo or aquarium. If we’re really lucky, we see them in the wild. But no matter where it happens, one thing is clear:
Animals don’t just impress us. They charm us.

At Wild in Color, those moments are everything. We don’t just create wildlife apparel; we want what you wear to have personality. Because once someone connects with an animal, they care. And once people care, they want to protect it. We have seen this firsthand as a design firm for some of America’s top zoos and aquariums. The stories and storytellers we’ve encountered (and helped to share) have helped us get to this point.

Fiona, the Baby Hippo that Captured Millions

In 2017, Cincinnati Zoo welcomed a baby Nile hippo named Fiona, born six weeks premature, she was barely able to stand. With a devoted team providing care, Fiona survived and became an internet sensation (Google Fiona the Hippo!).

What followed was wild and magical: daily updates, viral videos, books, toys, street art and t-shirts. Fiona became a household name. She was Cincinnati’s sweetheart, rallying the community to raise money, develop empathy for her species and keepers – creating that emotional connection to wildlife conservation.

The Tail of Winter the Dolphin

At Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Winter the dolphin was rehabilitated after being rescued from a crab trap, leading her to lose her tail. Her loss led to something extraordinary as an entire community across the world came to her aid. Winter became the first dolphin to receive a prosthetic tail, making her a symbol for resilience.

Winter’s story was transformational for science, for people with disabilities and for aquariums worldwide. She shined light on dolphins in the wild and captivity, with a book and movie that brought her story to life and made her tail a recognizable design that continues to bring awareness to the mission today as the aquarium's logo.

Why Animal Stories Matter to Us

The team behind Wild in Color has spent years working with zoos, listening to wildlife professionals and seeing firsthand how the personality of animals helps bring people closer to nature.

Our Wild in Color designs are shaped by those moments.
Our soft otter baby bodysuit is more than cute—it captures curiosity, just like Joey the sea otter in Vancouver.
Our lion collection allows you to pick the personality you love from the jungle king too.

Each design reflects their stories, their personalities and your experiences with them. 
And each product is a chance for you to wear the animal you love!

Inspired by the Wild, Drawn for Conservation

You don’t need to meet Fiona or Winter to care about wildlife—but it helps you to feel like you’ve met someone. That’s what we aim to create through every shirt, onesie, and design.

Follow @wildincolor for more animals with an attitude or energy for you!

Because the more personality we see in animals, the more likely we are to protect them. And that’s why we draw them the way we do.