Woodland Park Zoo Provide an Update on Gorilla Infant

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: February 13, 2021 11:45 pm

The gorilla infant is held at the Woodland Park Zoo

Photo Credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo

Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, USA have announced that their western lowland gorilla infant born on January 29th 2021 has been reunited with mom and the pair have started to bond.

The newborn is the 15th to be born at the zoo. Unfortunately soon after the birth mother, Nadiri did not pick up the infant, her second, to nurse it or keep it warm. When this did not change keepers intervened to provide care for the baby including bottle feeding and keeping her warm.

The gorilla infant is held at the Woodland Park Zoo

Photo Credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo

“During the first few days, Nadiri stayed close and picked up her baby for short periods but didn’t show interest in nursing her. However, she began holding her baby for longer periods and on day 10 she held her for 24 hours,” said Martin Ramirez, mammal curator at Woodland Park Zoo.

Since those introduction sessions, the baby is now with mom full-time and she has started to nurse, but continues to be supplementally bottle-fed by the gorilla keepers.

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Nadiri was partially hand-reared herself and as such keepers have been working with her to develop good maternal skills. This began during the pregnancy for her first infant, Yola five years ago.

On cue Nadiri will present her infant to keepers in case they need to supplementally feed the infant.

“Thanks to the dedication and expertise of our gorilla keepers, the training sessions have paid off. Nadiri brings her baby to the keepers for bottle feedings eight times a day and overnight,” said Ramirez. “We’re overjoyed that Nadiri has engaged with her baby and is providing good maternal care while allowing the keepers to nourish her baby.”

The gorilla infant with mom at the Woodland Park Zoo

Photo Credit: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo

Nadiri also celebrated a milestone this week as she turned 25 years old on February 12th 2021. “Nadiri turns 25 years old today! This is such a celebratory time with her and her baby bonding and growing closer each day. We wish her a very happy birthday!” said Ramirez.

At present the family are spending their time in the off-view bedrooms where they can bond in private. Dad Kwame and another female from the troop Akenji have meet the baby. Kitoko a male infant born in March 2020 will meet the infant next week as will his mom, Uzumma and Nadiri’s 5-year-old daughter, Yola.