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- Critically-endangered gorilla born at Ohio zoo (newsbreak.com)
An Ohio zoo celebrated the arrival of a new and critically endangered baby gorilla this past weekend. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced that the new addition, a newborn western lowland gorilla, is the first offspring of mother Sue. She has shown great maternal instincts, closely nurturing and cuddling her little one.
Audra Meinelt, the curator of the zoo’s Congo Expedition region, expressed her delight over the newborn, emphasizing both its adorableness and its significance for the conservation of the species.
The zoo has chosen to delay identifying the baby’s gender to minimize disturbances for the mother and child as they bond. This cautious approach is part of their efforts to allow natural interactions among the gorilla group, which includes the father, Ktembe, and other adult females, Nia and Cassie, who have been respectfully distant.
In terms of development, the newborn could eventually reach a weight between 150 and 500 pounds, depending on its sex, with males typically growing up to 6 feet tall and females up to 4.5 feet.
Another young gorilla, Jamani, has shown keen interest in the new baby. The four-year-old, a child of Ktembe and another female, Cassie, is being watched over by other troop members to ensure gentle interactions.
Both Sue and Ktembe, the baby’s parents, have been part of the Columbus Zoo’s community for several years, having been brought together through a species survival plan aimed at preserving genetic diversity among endangered animals.
The zoo, notable for being the birthplace of Colo, the first gorilla born in a zoo setting back in 1956, has seen 35 gorillas born on its grounds.
Meanwhile, at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo, a contrasting scenario unfolded as another newborn gorilla was not receiving expected maternal care, despite extensive preparatory training for the mother. This has led the zoo’s team to hand-rear the infant, focusing on maintaining its health and growth amid challenging circumstances.
These cases highlight both the joys and complexities of managing the conservation of the dwindling population of western lowland gorillas, which has seen a dramatic decline due to disease and hunting pressures over the past few decades.
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- Critically-endangered gorilla born at Ohio zoo (newsbreak.com)