Each time a new animal is born at a zoo, the zoo celebrates, especially if it’s one of their endangered species.Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered, and one zoo has just welcomed a baby of the species.
In a special Valentine’s Day celebration, Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium announced that 32-year-old mother Ibo gave birth to a newborn female gorilla on Feb. 14.
In spite of the unusual circumstances, the zoo says that Ibo is a loving and caring mother regardless of the circumstances.
Karen Vacco, Assistant Curator of Mammals, says Ibo makes a great mom with this baby coming later in life. The baby is being shown off, cradled, and nursed. She knows what she needs to do and does not require any assistance from staff. Their progress is being tracked, and it looks like they’re both doing fine.
In Africa’s Congo Basin, the western lowland gorilla has been endangered due to illegal poaching, habitat loss, and disease.
But a new birth is always a positive sign for a critically endangered species, and the zoo called the newborn “a welcome addition to the species as a whole.”
Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium has over 8,000 animals from 600 species in one of the largest zoo and aquarium combinations in the world. They are involved with conservation and research projects that are admired all over the world.
As the season progresses, the newborn will be more visible in the zoo’s public habitat, according to the zoo. Fans can contribute $5 to a naming contest held by the zoo through March 31: suggestions for a name for the new baby can be made through March 31.
It is a wonderful sign of hope for this critically endangered species to have such an adorable newborn – welcome to the world, little one!
