Birth of first gorilla at Como Zoo quickly turns to sadness

The joy of a new birth at Como Zoo, turned from elation to sadness within a matter of days. The baby male gorilla who was born in the early hours of Nov. 19 to mother Alice, sadly died on Nov. 23.

This was the first gorilla birth for Alice and the first gorilla birth in Como’s 55 year history of being a leader in gorilla care and conservation.

At approximately four pounds at birth, the baby gorilla appeared healthy, strong and was bonding with Alice. After the birth, he and Alice were under zookeeper watch and care around the clock. The baby had appeared as if he was doing well through Saturday evening. He had a strong grip and was vocal. Alice was showing positive signs of maternal instinct, had been observed nursing and cradling the baby.

Despite best efforts to monitor and record the baby’s food intake, many times Alice would cradle her baby to her chest with her back towards the observing zookeepers making it difficult to determine when, and if, nursing was indeed taking place. To prevent undo stress on new mothers, and allow them the necessary time to bond with their baby, it is imperative that zoo staff and veterinarians not intervene unless absolutely necessary.

On Sunday morning it was apparent that the baby was weak and his health failing. While the intervention process was happening the baby was set down by Alice and the zookeepers were able to retrieve him without the need to immobilize Alice. Resuscitation efforts on the infant were quickly preformed but were unsuccessful. Preliminary hypothesis is that the death might have been caused due to complications with food intake.

A gorilla gestation is approximately eight months. At birth, baby gorillas weigh between 4 and 5 pounds. It is extremely important for mom and baby to bond shortly after birth and for the baby to begin nursing. Typically Zoo staff will not intervene unless the health of the infant is compromised or the mother shows no motherly instinct. In cases such as that, zookeepers would step in and with veterinary staff determine next steps for reintroduction, hand rearing or even a surrogate type situation. Each animal at Como Zoo has its own Birth Management Plan.

Gorilla mothers are very protective of their babies. A gorilla mother will carry the baby on her chest for the first three months. At about 6-months-old the baby will move to ride on the mother’s back and begin playing and moving around on the ground close to mother. “Gorillas are very family oriented,” said Jo Kelly, Senior Zookeeper.

“The entire Gorilla SSP shares the Como Zoo’s heartbreak over this sad event,” stated Dr. Kristen Lukas, Director of Conservation & Science at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and the Chair of the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. “It is always difficult to lose a young one but we fully understand the significance of this particular birth for Como Zoo and are very sorry for your loss.”

Out of 437 gorilla births at Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) institutions since 1980, 26% of males and 20% of females did not make it to their first birthday. In wild-living western gorilla populations, mortality rates in the first year of life have been reported up to 42% and in mountain gorillas, first-time mothers have 50% higher infant mortality rates than second-time mothers.

Another gorilla in the group, Dara, is also pregnant and due soon.