In a move to ensure a baby gorilla is raised by gorillas, the Woodland Park Zoo said it has made a critical decision to move its 1-month-old gorilla boy to another zoo. (Woodland Park Zoo)
Seattle
A gorilla born at a zoo in Washington state is getting relocated to another zoo to live with a surrogate mother and another family of gorillas.
According to the Woodland Park Zoo, first-time mother Akenji has rejected her new baby who was born on June 28.
Since the infant arrived, he has been cared for by humans.
“Because Akenji hasn’t shown any interest in caring for her baby, human intervention was necessary,” a spokesperson for the zoo shared.
Because further attempts to unite mom and baby have been unsuccessful, the animal care team said it has made “a critical decision” to move the 1-month-old gorilla boy to another zoo so he could be raised by a surrogate gorilla mom.
According to the animal care team, they tried to focus on training three adult female gorillas at Woodland Park to be surrogate mothers, but the “progress has not advanced fast enough.”
Now, staff has turned to the Gorilla Species Survival Plan, which keeps a list of potential surrogate mothers at accredited zoos and aquariums nationwide.
“We’re confident the infant will be placed in a great home, and we’ll share final details upon his safe arrival,” Martin Ramirez, interim senior director of animal care at Woodland Park Zoo, said.
Constantly being with a mom is natural for an infant gorilla, the zoo shared. It gives the infant confidence and a sense of security which are critical characteristics for a gorilla to live a healthy and social life.
The animal care team also said this is why raising a baby gorilla needs to be gorilla-centric from the start and it is imperative to socialize the infant with a surrogate mom and a gorilla family without further delay.
“While we hoped for a different outcome, this is the best decision for his long-term benefits and well-being,” Ramirez said.
