ROYAL OAK, Mich. - The Detroit Zoo says the birth of a gorilla at the zoo in suburban Detroit is the first in its 96-year history.
The gorilla that was born Thursday doesn't have a name yet, and the sex has not been determined.
The newcomer now four other gorillas at the zoo, including mother Bandia and father Mshindi.
Those four arrived a year ago. Staff worked for months to prepare the troop.
They even carried a stuffed gorilla around the habitat to demonstrate how to carry the baby.
The public won't see the gorillas until the zoo feels confident that mom has bonded with her baby.
This precious moment marks a momentous occasion — Bandia is now the proud mother of the first gorilla born at the Detroit Zoo in our 96-year history! The baby is healthy and thriving under her attentive care and the supervision of our dedicated animal care team. pic.twitter.com/u0QynQL8J1
— Detroit Zoo (@detroitzoo) August 9, 2024