SEATTLE — UPDATE: An introduciton session between the Woodland Park Zoo's new baby western lowland gorilla and his mother "was the most positive one since the baby was born", zoo officials say. The baby gorilla will be named at the beginning of the new year.
Woodland Park Zoo’s new baby western lowland gorilla “continues to thrive under the care of keepers and veterinary staff,” a statement from zoo officials said last month.
Here's the most current update from Woodland Park Zoo:
Introductions between first-time mother Nadiri and her new baby are moving along at a slow pace, but a step in the right direction is good news, no matter how tiny those steps may be.
The baby western lowland gorilla, a female, was born November 20 to 19-year-old Nadiri. After giving birth naturally, Nadiri did not pick up her baby. Staff immediately stepped in for the safety and welfare of the baby and to allow the new mom to rest. Because Nadiri does not have experience with motherhood, the zoo prepared for different outcomes while Nadiri was pregnant, including human intervention.
Zoo gorilla and veterinary staff are providing 24/7 care for the baby gorilla behind the scenes in the gorillas' sleeping quarters in a den next to Nadiri. The mom and the other two members in her group can see the baby, and the baby is immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of gorillas.
According to Nancy Hawkes, the general curator at Woodland Park Zoo, an introduction session over the weekend was the most positive one since the baby was born. "Nadiri gently lifted her baby's chin with one hand to look at her and leaned forward on her elbows to be at face level. She cupped her head in both of her hands and softly touched her eyes and put her face and mouth against her baby's face. She also playfully, but very gently, patted her cupped hands against the baby's head," explained Hawkes.
Nadiri is given the choice to be with her baby several times a day. "She still enters the den during each session and stays near her baby. While each session is positive, the progress is in tiny steps and we still have a way to go in terms of seeing consistent maternal behavior," added Hawkes. "Nadiri is interacting with her baby at her own pace and we're encouraged by the positive behavior toward her baby."
At almost a month old, the baby gorilla is bottle fed human infant formula on demand and currently weighs just over 6 pounds. "She's showing normal weight gain and her two lower front teeth have come in, so she is in the teething phase," said Hawkes.
The zoo will continue to provide hands-on care for the baby gorilla for the next three months while introducing Nadiri to her baby as long as the introduction sessions remain positive. Thank you for sending positive vibes to this little one, she has certainly captured the hearts of her keepers and animal health staff.
The baby gorilla will be named at the beginning of the new year and we will share details about the naming right here.
Here’s the update from the Woodland Park Zoo last month:
The baby is under round-the-clock care and is currently off public view in a bedroom next to Nadiri's den where the mom and other two gorillas in her group can see the baby.
Attempts over the weekend to introduce Nadiri to her baby have not been successful. According to Martin Ramirez, the zoo's mammal curator, Nadiri's interactions are positive but minimal. "She keeps her baby within line of sight and we hear content grunting, but she has not shown any interest beyond this and has not made a move to pick up her baby. While this is not the outcome we hoped for, we remain optimistic that her maternal behaviors will kick in," said Ramirez. "The best thing for a baby gorilla, or any animal, is to have its mom take care of it. We had hoped that Nadiri's maternal instinct would kick in when she gave birth but it hasn't."
The baby is being bottle-fed human infant formula. "The good news is that the baby is flourishing. We're very pleased with the baby's first 72 hours, a critical period for newborn gorillas. She's feeding sufficiently and maintaining her body temperature," explained Ramirez. "Our focus over the next several days is to ensure this baby remains healthy and to keep moving forward with attempts to unite Nadiri with her baby. We just need to be patient."
ORIGINAL TEXT: First-time gorilla mom gave birth to a baby girl after what Woodland Park Zoo calls a restless night of tossing and turning.
Nadiri started having contractions around 8 a.m. on Friday and brought a newborn into the world around 11 a.m.
"Within moments of giving birth, Nadiri moved a few feet away from the baby and walked to the other side of her den. Keepers watching closely could see the infant was moving, though still wrapped in the amniotic sac. We made the call for the safety of the baby: it was time to intervene," a spokeswoman wrote on the zoo's blog.
“Wrapped up in this new bundle of joy is a touching reminder of what's at stake in a world where gorillas face extinction in the wild. She carries very valuable genes underrepresented in the gorilla population, which is managed together across conservation zoos through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan. “
While the zoo hoped Nadiri would immediately hold and care for her baby, a team stepped in for the safety of the newborn and made the decision to let the new mom rest.
Woodland Park Zoo says the first 72 hours are the most critical for a newborn.