It’s a boy gorilla!
Despite complications, Kiki becomes proud parent again at Franklin Park Zoo
A team of veterinary physicians and doctors from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston have successfully delivered Franklin Park Zoo’s first baby male gorilla via Cesarean section.
With her due date just days away, the mother, Kiki, a 39-year-old western lowland gorilla, experienced bleeding. And the veterinary team at Zoo New England became concerned that she may have placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta blocks the path for delivery of the baby.
At 4 p.m. on Oct. 14, the Zoo New England veterinary team, along with specialists from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, performed an ultrasound on Kiki and confirmed the condition.
The animal care and veterinary teams transported Kiki to the hospital on the grounds of Franklin Park Zoo and prepped her for surgery. And at 6:35 p.m., the baby was born, weighing 6 pounds, 3 ounces — bigger than the 3 to 5 pounds gorilla infants typically weigh.
“I couldn’t have been happier. It’s one of the highlights of my career,” said Dr. Eric Baitchman, Zoo New England vice president of animal health and conservation. “To know that we were able to act quickly and prevent harm to the mother and baby was really pure joy.”
Kiki recovered from surgery while the baby, who has not yet been named, was cared for by zoo staff close enough for her to see and hear him. The pair were reunited the following afternoon, and Kiki has been very attentive, holding the baby close. Mother and baby have bonded well and continue to be closely .
Kiki’s pregnancy was the result of a recommended breeding with her mate, Kitombe, affectionately known as Kit. Kiki previously has given birth to four female gorillas. Her youngest two live at Franklin Park Zoo, while her oldest two reside at other accredited Western lowland gorillas are considered critically endangered in the wild in the countries of Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Congo, Angola and Central African Republic. Threats to gorillas vary geographically, and western gorillas are primarily threatened by disease and the bushmeat trade.
For news on when Kiki and her baby will make their public debut, visit www.franklinparkzoo.org or follow the zoo on social media.