Staff members at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C., where a young western lowland gorilla was born on May 27, were “overjoyed,” according to a news statement. The zoo said that the gorilla was born between midnight and 6:15 a.m.
Baraka, 31, and Calaya, 20, are the animal’s parents. It has been five years since a gorilla has given birth at the zoo, but this time it’s a baby. Moke was the name of the male that gave birth to the last western lowland gorilla in the zoo.
Baby Gorilla
According to the zoo‘s press release, Moke is also a child of Calaya and Baraka. The statement stated that the sex and other details of the newborn are still unknown. Zookeepers are “cautiously optimistic” that the baby gorilla will flourish since they are letting mother gorilla Calaya bond with and raise her offspring without human intervention.
In a press release, Becky Malinsky, curator of primates at the National Zoo, said, “We are overjoyed to welcome a new infant to our western lowland gorilla troop.” The troop is the term used to describe groups of gorillas.
- Smithsonian National Zoo announces birth of western lowland gorilla, overjoyed by birth.
- Zoo releases unknown details on Moke, a child of Calaya and Baraka.
- Malinsky confident Calaya will provide exceptional care for child.
Malinsky continued, “Calaya is an accomplished mother, and I have every confidence she will provide exceptional care for this child, just as she did for her first child, Moke.” It has been amazing to witness her loving and playful side emerge since the birth of her son in 2018.
Malinsky urged visitors to come to see his family of gorillas to be motivated to work to protect the critically endangered species in the wild.
The Great Ape House at the National Zoo was shut down until May 30 to give the mother and child more privacy, according to the zoo.
The National Zoo is eager to observe how parents Calaya and Baraka and their first child, Moke, adjust to their new companion. With his laid-back demeanor, Baraka has put up with Moke’s shenanigans.
The zoo hopes that Calaya’s pregnancy and the subsequent birth of the infant will raise awareness of the critically endangered western lowland gorilla species.
