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Baby gorilla is born at Detroit Zoo, the first in its 96-year history

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This photo made available by the Detroit Zoo, shows an unnamed baby gorilla is the first to be born at the Detroit Zoo, arriving Thursday, August 8, 2024 and joining a troop of four including mother Bandia and father Mshindi. (Detroit Zoo via AP)

ROYAL OAK, Mich. ā€“ It's a baby ā€” gorilla.

The Detroit Zoo in suburban Detroit said the birth Thursday was the first in its 96-year history.

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ā€œBandia had a very smooth pregnancy, which is so important for a first-time mom,ā€ said Tami Brightrall, the zoo's associate curator of mammals.

The baby gorilla doesn't have a name yet, and the sex has not been determined. The newcomer now four other gorillas at the zoo, including Bandia and father Mshindi, all of which arrived a year ago.

Staff worked for months to prepare the troop, even carrying a stuffed gorilla around the habitat to demonstrate how to carry the baby, Brightrall said.

ā€œOur teams also taught the gorillas how to gently touch the stuffed animal, pick it up off the ground and bring it to a member of the team over at the mesh barrier,ā€ she said.

The public won't immediately see the gorillas.

ā€œThe area will reopen once the animal care team determines mom and baby have had enough time to bond and become comfortable in their habitat,ā€ said Melissa Thueme, a mammal supervisor.


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