First In 96 Years, A Gorilla Baby Born At The Detroit Zoo
JAKARTA - A gorilla baby was born at the Detroit Zoo, United States. The gorilla's birth was the first in 96 years of the zoo's history.
"Bandia is experiencing a very smooth pregnancy, this is very important for a mother who gave birth for the first time," said Tami Brightrall, the mammal curator at the zoo as reported by ABC News, Friday, August 9.
The gorilla baby does not yet have a name and its gender has not been determined.
Now there are four other gorillas at the zoo, including Bandia and her father Mshindi, all of whom arrived a year ago.
Staff worked for months to prepare for this birth, even carrying gorilla dolls around the habitat to show how to carry the baby,
"Our team also taught the gorilla how to touch the doll gently, take it off the ground, and take it to the team members near the net divider," Brightrall said.
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The public will not immediately see the gorilla.
The area will reopen after the animal care team determines the mother and baby have enough time to bond and feel comfortable in their habitat, said Melissa Thueme, a mammalian supervisor.