Bioparc Fuengirola Welcome Birth of a Western Lowland Gorilla

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: November 16, 2020 4:45 pm

The western lowland gorilla infant clings to mom

Photo Credit: BIOPARC Fuengirola

For the first time a gorilla has been born at BIOPARC Fuengirola in Andalusia, Spain. Members of the zoology team arriving at work on Saturday November 7th, 2020 found that mother Buu gave birth overnight. The infant is a male.

BIOPARC Fuengirola reports that the mother and infant are in perfect health. The rest of the group is said to be very welcoming of the new arrival.

The western lowland gorilla infant clings to mom

Photo Credit: BIOPARC Fuengirola

“Everyone is interested in the new member. But without a doubt Wefa, the youngest female in the group, is the one who is most interested and curious, perhaps because of her young age or because she has been a good team with Buu from the beginning. ” – declares Jesús Recuero, veterinarian at Bioparc Fuengirola.

BIOPARC Fuengirola is one of only five zoos in Spain where you can view a family group of gorillas including adult males and females along with juveniles.

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They first welcomed gorillas in 2004 when a non-breeding family of one male and two females arrived at the park. In 2017 one female and the male had passed away leaving just a lone female.

The coordinators of the European gorilla conservation program decided that due to the experience which BIOPARC Fuengirola had in raising gorillas they would welcome a breeding group.

In spring 2018 they began the process to welcome their new family group. They came from different zoos across Europe. These three gorillas joined the remaining female from the last group.