Woodland Park Zoo Gorilla Explores Outdoors

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: April 14, 2021 1:35 pm

Zuna the western lowland gorilla has explored outside at Woodland Park Zoo

Photo Credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo.

Woodland Park Zoo Visitors are able to view western lowland gorilla infant, Zuna as she explores outside for the first time. The now 11 week old infant can be seen with her mother and the rest of the family. They are on display on a limited schedule which is weather dependent.

Zuna is the second infant for mother Nadiri. Her name means “sweet” in the African language, Lingala (lin-gah-lah). This is the first infant between Nadiri and partner Kwame.

Zuna the western lowland gorilla has explored outside at Woodland Park Zoo

Photo Credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo.

“We continue to bottle feed Zuna for her nourishment while mom Nadiri provides maternal care. She’s doing an excellent job. Once Zuna’s feedings are reduced, we’ll be able to extend her time outdoors,” said Martin Ramirez, mammal curator at Woodland Park Zoo.

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The baby gorilla is becoming more active and steadily becoming stronger and more observant. “Zuna’s watching the other gorillas in her family with growing curiosity. Kitoko, our 1-year-old boy, is especially interested in her,” said Ramirez. “Once Zuna becomes more mobile, our zoo visitors are going to be in for a real treat watching these youngsters romp and play. As symbols of hope for their cousins in the wild, our gorillas can inspire our community to care about and take action on behalf of these gentle giants and other wildlife.”