Healthy gorilla born to 1st time parents at US zoo

A gorilla baby was born Thursday at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and will be joining 16 other of the large primates. AP

COLUMBUS, Ohio—A baby gorilla has been born to first-time parents at an Ohio zoo.

 

The healthy 5-pound (2.2-kilogram) male gorilla arrived Thursday at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, joining 16 other gorillas there.

 

It’s the first offspring for mother Kambera, who has displayed a lack of maternal skills.

 

Animal care experts are raising the baby in an environment that provides around-the-clock neonatal care. They stay close to the mother, with the hope of reuniting the pair.

 

The father is Oliver, who is deaf and is believed to have lost his hearing when very young.

 

Zoo staff members say it’s unknown when visitors will be able to see the baby.

 

There have been 31 gorillas born at the Columbus zoo, including Colo in 1956. That female western lowland gorilla is believed to be the oldest gorilla in any zoo.

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