ZooBorns

Tokyo's Ueno Zoo's Got a Gorilla

Meet Japan’s latest animal star. She’s snuggling up to her 26-year-old mother, "Momoko." The baby was born to the Western Lowland Gorilla clan at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. She now weighs about four pounds.

Baby Gorilla Needs a Name

The Toronto Zoo is asking for the public's help in naming its newest little gorilla born September 2. Mom's name is Ngozi and dad's is Charles... so may we suggest "Narles" or "Chgozi?" Actually those are both terrible names.  We're sure you can do a better job than we did. Submit your suggestions here!

Goma the Gorilla Turns 50!

Tomorrow Switzerland's Zoo Basel celebrates a remarkable birthday. Goma, the first gorilla ever born in a European zoo, turns 50! Unusual for the time, Goma got tremendous press in 1959 during her first year, and today we share some of these classic photos. 

It should be noted that unlike zoo born gorillas today, Goma spent the first years of her life almost entirely with zoo staff. While this made her exceptionally close with humans, it made it difficult for her to enter gorilla society and it took many years for her to find her place with her fellow great apes. Today as a result of gorillas like Goma, zoos go to great lengths to ensure that their animals are comfortable with their own kind.

Kibibi the Playful Gorilla Baby

The National Zoo's newest little gorilla, Kibibi, is getting "bigger and bolder by the day," according to the Great Ape House Keeper. A playful baby, Kibibi spends her days uprooting plants and grabbing at her older brother, with frequent breaks for cuddling with mom of course. She also has a "propensity for creating noise and rhythm... steadily banging on plastic spools, enclosure walls, overturned tubs, and anything else that makes a good sound."

Enjoy many more pics of Kibibi on the Smithsonian National Zoo's photo site.

Babies Galore at Apenheul Primate Park

Apenheul Primate Park in the Netherlands is a unique institution where monkeys, apes and other primates are free to wander within the park forming their own natural social groups. All of the pictures below were taken last week by photographer Jean Kern. Just like their fellow primates, humans, mom and baby stick close together.

Baby Western lowland gorilla and mom

Baby Barbary macaque and mom

Baby crowned sifaka and mom

Baby golden-headed lion tamarin and mom

... and we couldn't resist these cattle egret chicks...

Baby Gorilla Meets His New Mom

Raised by keepers since birth in December, experts at the San Francisco Zoo decided to introduce baby Hasani to his new surrogate mom, Bawang, yesterday. After a few cautious hours, the two got along wonderfully as you can see in this touching video. 

 

ZooBorns has been following little Hasani since he was just 9 days old. Here's a reminder.

Surrogate gorilla mom Bawang has raised three offspring of her own and has proven to be a outstanding mother. Keepers noted that Bawang's handling of Hasani was very gentle and clearly demonstrated her natural maternal instincts kicking in.

Baby Gorilla at the Wilhelma Zoo

We brought you pictures of Upala, the baby gorilla at the Wilhelma Zoo, a few weeks back. Now we check back in to see their newest newborn gorilla, 8 week old Mary Zwo. 

SF Zoo's Baby Gorilla Needs a Name

Remember our friend from the San Francisco Zoo? Born on December 8th of last year, the baby gorilla boy abandoned by his mother is doing fine and now he needs a name.  San Francisco Zoo is hosting a contest to give him one.



Prizes for the winning name include:

• Zoo Family Membership for the zoo closest to the winner's place of residency
• Large Gorilla Plush
• Framed photo of the infant gorilla with a footprint
• Thirty minute Live Q&A with a gorilla keeper (either in person, via phone or internet depending on location of winner)

More contest details are below the fold as well as a lengthy and adorable video...

Smithsonian National Zoo: It's a Girl!

The Smithsonian National Zoo is pleased to announce that its three-week-old baby gorilla is a female. The baby was born on January 10 to 26-year-old mom Mandara and 16-year-old dad Baraka. Mandara is again proving herself to be an exemplary mother, and is caring for her baby with great confidence and tenderness.

Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian's National Zoo

1 Day Old Baby Gorilla at The National Zoo

Yesterday the National Zoo welcomed a brand spanking new baby gorilla.  Born on January 10th to six-time mom Mandara, the newborn appears to be doing well. In these timely pictures (first shot and video courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute and Sarah Taylor, second 2 pics by Jonathan L. Kang) the precious babe is seen snuggling in beaming mom's arms.