Mother and infant bonding is going well, according to the zookeepers. A second birth is expected soon.
SEATTLE — The first of two baby gorillas expected at the Woodland Park Zoo was born on Monday morning.
Zookeepers are allowing mother gorilla Jamani and her new baby to bond in an off-view exhibit for a few days to allow them to bond in a comfortable environment. So far, it’s going well, said keeper Arden Robert, animal care manager of primates at the zoo.
“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 Robert. “As long as Jamani continues to show appropriate maternal care, we’ll remain hands off and do visual neonatal exams only. If there are any visible concerns, we will of course intervene.”
This is Jamani’s second baby. Her companion, Olympia, is due “any day,” zoo leadership said.
Both Jamani and Olympia are relatively new to Seattle. They lived together in a gorilla troupe at the North Carolina Zoo, where they each gave birth around the same time in 2012 and successfully raised their babies together. They arrived at the Woodland Park Zoo in 2022.
Including Jamani’s new baby, the Woodland Park Zoo has 12 western lowland gorillas living in two separate family groups. Jamani, Olympia, Jamani’s baby, female gorilla Jumoke and silverback Nadaya comprise the smaller group family group. Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered and are the only species of gorilla kept in zoos.
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