Photo:
The newborn gorilla at Woodland Park Zoo, held close by mom Jamani. Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren | Woodland Park Zoo
Woodland Park Zoo welcomed two highly anticipated babies this month. On May 18, western lowland gorilla Jamani gave birth to a fuzzy little bundle of joy, and on May 24, Olympia (another western lowland gorilla) gave birth via a rare emergency C-section. In fact, in Woodland Park Zoo’s 126-year history, this is the first gorilla born via C-section. Both baby gorillas are boys.
These new babies are the most recent in a string of new events and exhibits at Woodland Park Zoo. The long-awaited Forest Trailhead opened May 1; the Family Farm is transforming into Wild Encounters; and earlier this year two adorable lion cubs were born.
Jamani and her baby are currently bonding in one of the sleeping dens, and so far all seems to be going well. Olympia and her baby are also doing well, though zoo staff are keeping close watch on mom and baby. Martin Ramirez, Curator of Mammalogy at Woodland Park Zoo, said in a press release, “Thanks to the teamwork of the human doctors, veterinarians and gorilla care team, Olympia and her baby are in good health and doing well. Given the positive indicators so far, we remain optimistic but are also cautious because the situation is very fluid and fragile.”
“We’re happy to report that Jamani so far is showing good maternal skills. She’s holding the baby close to her bosom, the baby is nursing, and mom and baby are bonding,” said Arden Robert, Animal Care Manager of Primates at Woodland Park Zoo, in a press release.
Who are the baby gorilla’s parents?
This is Jamani’s and Olympia’s second time welcoming a little one; both gave birth to babies in 2012 at the North Carolina Zoo and successfully raised their babies together. The father of both babies is silverback Nadaya, and these are his first offspring.
When can we see the baby gorilla?
Currently, Jamani and her baby are not viewable to visitors. They are taking time to bond in a sleeping den, which is a quiet and comfortable environment where they can be closely monitored by zoo staff. Jamani will have the option to go into the outdoor habitat with her baby, but it still may be several days before the public will be able to catch a glimpse. The temperature needs to maintain a minimum of 65 degrees in the outdoor shelter, and the space may be closed off to zoo visitors the first few times they venture out.
Jamani is helping Olympia as she recovers from her surgery and is carrying around both infants. “While Olympia recovers from the C-section, our plan is to allow Jamani to continue caring for Olympia’s son while also caring for her own son as long as both infants remain healthy, which is our priority. Once Olympia shows signs of being ready for her baby, we’ll move forward with plans to reunite them,” said Ramirez.
See you at the zoo! (Don’t forget to grab tickets to ZooTunes for a fun outdoor concert this summer.)
Editor’s note: This article was updated by the author to include information about the birth of the second baby gorilla.
