Newborn Baby Gorilla Discovered at Columbus Zoo, Surprising Keepers
Zookeepers at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium were in for a surprise on Thursday morning when they discovered a newborn baby gorilla and learned that its mother was not a male gorilla, as previously believed. The gorilla, named Sully, has been living at the facility with her mother since 2019.
The zoo announced the unexpected discovery in a news release, stating that the gorilla care team found Sully holding the baby gorilla early Thursday. It turns out that Sully, who is 8 years old, was thought to be male due to the lack of prominent sex organs in gorillas. Males and females look mostly alike until around the age of 8, when males develop their large size, silver backs, and distinctive head bumps.
The veterinarians at the zoo took a “hands-off approach” with Sully’s care, allowing her to be cared for by her mother. This approach, along with the difficulty in distinguishing the sex of young gorillas, contributed to the surprise pregnancy going unnoticed. Additionally, gorillas rarely show outward signs of pregnancy, as newborns are smaller than human babies and gorillas naturally have large abdomens.
The zoo estimates that Sully became pregnant in the fall, as the gestation period for gorillas is eight and a half months. The adorable infant, believed to be a healthy female, will undergo a wellness exam soon. A DNA test will also be conducted to determine the newborn’s father.
Starting Friday, the new mother and baby will be on display for guests at the zoo’s gorilla habitat. This news is particularly significant as Western lowland gorillas, the subspecies that resides at the Columbus Zoo, are critically endangered. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, there are only an estimated 100,000 left in the wild across central Africa, with their population being threatened by habitat loss, deforestation, and hunting for bushmeat.
The Columbus Zoo has a history of gorilla conservation, being the first zoo in the world to welcome the birth of a baby gorilla in 1956. Sully’s yet-to-be-named infant is the 34th gorilla born at the zoo, highlighting the facility’s commitment to conserving these magnificent animals.
What steps is the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium taking to prevent similar mistakes from happening in the future and ensure accurate information regarding their animals
Release, stating that the birth is a significant milestone for the zoo’s gorilla population. The new baby gorilla arrived on Thursday morning and is said to be healthy and doing well.
Prior to the birth, zookeepers believed that Sully’s mother, a gorilla named Koko, was a male. The zoo is still trying to determine how this mistake occurred and is conducting an investigation to ensure that similar errors do not happen in the future.
Sully’s birth has brought much excitement to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, as it is the first gorilla birth at the facility in over a decade. The zoo’s staff is working diligently to provide the best care possible for both Sully and her mother, ensuring that they have a safe and comfortable environment.
Gorilla populations in the wild are under threat due to factors such as habitat loss and poaching. The birth of a healthy newborn gorilla in a zoo setting is therefore significant, as it contributes to the overall conservation efforts for this endangered species.
Visitors to the zoo will have the opportunity to see Sully and her mother in the coming weeks once they have had time to bond and settle into their new routine. The zoo is also planning to organize educational programs and events to raise awareness about gorilla conservation and the importance of preserving their natural habitat.
The unexpected discovery of Sully and the subsequent confusion regarding the gender of her mother highlight the complexities of animal care and the importance of accurate information. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that all animals under its care receive the best possible attention and support.
