ROYAL OAK, Mich. – The Detroit zoo has announces the birth of a baby girl gorilla, the second born in the zoo’s nearly 100-year-old history.
The endangered western lowland infant gorilla is the 6th gorilla to call the Detroit Zoo home.
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The infant girl gorilla was born to first-time mom Tulivu (Too-Lee-Voo) in the late evening of Sunday, July 12.
The Zoo reports mom, baby and father Mshindi (Meh-Shin-Dee), are all doing well.
“As a first-time mom, Tulivu made this about as smooth as a pregnancy can go,” said Mike Murray, chief life sciences officer for the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS).
According to the Zoo, Tulivu received ultrasounds well, giving veterinary team easy tracking of the baby’s development throughout the entire pregnancy.
The baby girl is the second gorilla ever born at the Detroit Zoo, following the birth of Motema (Mo-Tem-Ahh) in August 2024.
Because Mshindi is father to both, the infant and Motema are half-siblings.
Tulivu is showing excellent maternal behaviors, and the infant is reaching early milestones.
Animal care staff will continue to watch the mother-daughter-duo closely to observe how the rest of the troop responds to the new addition.
The Great Apes of Harambee building is currently open, but Tulivu and her baby have access to their behind-the-scenes areas and may not always be visible to guests.
“When guests will be able to see the baby depends on Tulivu and what she needs as a first-time mom,” Murray said. “We want to keep things calm and quiet so mom, baby and the rest of the troop have time to bond and get comfortable.
The zoo says visitors will have full access to the duo once the animal care team feels they’re ready.
The Detroit Zoo says they will share naming updates and additional photos and video, in the coming days.
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