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MEDIA
RELEASE
April 2, 2010
CONTACT:
Kara Bussabarger
kara.bussabarger@louisvilleky.gov
502-238-5331 (502-744-5639 Media Cell)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gorilla baby update
Currently, the infant gorilla has been
stabilized and reunited with Mom Mia Moja (who is separated from the
rest of the group—father Mshinidi and female Kweli).
Keepers stayed at Gorilla Forest
throughout the night and are continuing to keep a watchful eye on mom
and baby. Mom has been cuddling the infant and holding her close, and
keepers have witnessed the baby nursing and both mom and baby slept
during the night. The baby has been observed clinging to mom without
assistance on a few occasions which is a sign of vigor and vitality.
But it is still a very delicate
situation.
BACKGROUND RECAP
Louisville Zoo’s female
infant gorilla (born February 6, 2010) suffered an injury Thursday,
April 1, 2010, that resulted in the loss of part of her left leg.
It happened during a skirmish
within the family group (which consists of 21-year-old mom Mia Moja,
22-year-old father Mshindi and 27-year-old female Kweli).
Gorillas are extremely
complex. It is challenging to identify the reason for this occurrence
particularly in light of the fact that Mia Moja, Mshindi, Kweli and the
baby had been together sharing the same space through the pregnancy and
since the birth and doing well.
BABY BACKGROUND
The baby was born February 6 to western lowland
gorilla Mia Moja. She was the first gorilla baby born in North America
this year and the second gorilla ever born at the Louisville Zoo. (The
first was male Azizi born to Makari on December 4, 2003, a year after
Gorilla Forest opened in May of 2002.)
MOM BACKGROUND
Mother-raised and small-framed Mia Moja was
born March 18, 1989, at Zoo Atlanta and arrived at the Louisville Zoo in
2005. This is Mia’s second offspring. Her first was Olympia who was born
in 1996 and sired by famous gorilla Willie B. Olympia resides at Zoo
Atlanta.
DAD BACKGROUND
Silverback Mshindi was born October 17, 1987,
at St. Louis Zoo. He was hand raised and arrived at the Louisville Zoo
in 2005. This is his first offspring.
KWELI BACKGROUND
Kweli is a female who was born at Cincinnati Zoo in 1983 and arrived in
Louisville in April of 2008. She is mother to Kicho (Louisville Zoo) and
also has offspring at Pittsburgh Zoo and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo.
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