ROYAL OAK, Michigan — It’s a baby – a gorilla.
The Detroit Zoo in suburban Detroit reported Thursday’s birth was the first in the animal’s 96-year history.
“Bandia had a very smooth pregnancy, which is very important for a new mother,” said Tami Brightrall, the zoo’s associate curator of mammals.
The baby gorilla has not yet been named and its gender has not yet been determined. The newcomer now has four other gorillas at the zoo, including Bandia and father Mshindi, who all arrived a year ago.
Staff worked for months to prepare the group, even walking a stuffed gorilla through the enclosure to demonstrate how to carry a baby, Brightrall said.
“Our teams also taught the gorillas how to gently touch the stuffed animal, pick it up from the ground and bring it to a team member at the mesh barrier,” she said.
The public will not see the gorillas right away.
“The area will reopen once the animal care team determines that mother and baby have had sufficient time to bond and become comfortable in their habitat,” said Melissa Thueme, mammal supervisor.