Columbus Zoo announces the birth of the 35th gorilla born on its property
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has added a tiny new member to its gorilla troop.
The western lowland gorilla was born early Saturday. The baby's mother Sue has been cuddling and giving care to the little gorilla, whose sex has not yet been determined, according to a Facebook post from the zoo.
The baby’s father, Ktembe, and the rest of the gorilla troop have been respectful by giving Sue and the baby space, the post said.
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The baby will be visible to visitors starting Monday between 11 a.m. and until the park closes at 6 p.m. in July. The special hours are to ensure the gorillas can bond comfortably.
Until then, the indoor viewing area in the Congo Expedition region will be closed while the troop settles in.
The zoo’s other gorilla troop will still be visible in its outdoor habitat as well.
Conservation groups including the World Wildlife Foundation and the International Union for Conservation and Nature consider western lowland gorillas critically endangered.
The zoo’s post said the pairing of Sue and Ktembe was recommended by the Species Survival Plan, a program organized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to maintain genetic diversity in endangered animals under professional care.
This is the 35th gorilla born at the Columbus Zoo, which was the first zoo to have a gorilla born in professional care with Colo in 1956.
Learning the baby's sex may take years because young male and female gorillas are about the same size and do not show prominent sex organs. An 8-year-old gorilla who was thought to be a male gave birth at the zoo last year, according to a previous Dispatch report.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium welcomes new baby gorilla: Visiting hours
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