Baby Gorilla Born At Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 1st In Zoo History

CLEVELAND — A baby gorilla was born at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo during the waning days of October.

The unnamed, 3-pound infant is the first gorilla born at the Zoo in its 139-year-history, officials said. Community members will have the unique opportunity to watch it develop, see video of its rearing and help name the baby.

The western lowland gorilla was born Oct. 26, 2021 to mother Nneka, 23, and father Mokolo, 34. Nneka did not show appropriate motherly care for the infant so the gorilla troop's eldest female, Freddy, 47, took on care of the infant.

Freddy has raised four of her own infants.

Baby gorillas weigh approximately 3 pounds at birth and must be in near-constant contact with their mother for the first six months of their life. They are nursed for their first three years, Zoo officials said.

Freddy brings the newborn to the Zoo's animal care team to be bottle fed. The animal care team has used positive reinforcement training to facilitate a group-care dynamic of the infant. This allows the infant to stay with the gorilla troop at all times, but also gives the team access to ensure proper development of the baby.

How You Can See The Baby

“We’re thrilled to announce the birth of this gorilla, the first in our history, as we also look ahead towards the future at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo,” said Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian M. Zimmerman.

Guests visiting the Zoo will be able to see the newborn gorilla, and its troop, at the Primate, Cat & Aquatic building between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

In coming weeks, the Zoo will unveil a public naming opportunity and a video series documenting the raising of the baby.