Fort Worth's Zoo Newborn Gorilla To Be Moved After Rejections from Mom and Surrogates
In January the Forth Worth Zoo in Texas welcomed a baby gorilla born prematurely via emergency c-section, after her mother exhibited symptoms of preeclampsia. Due to this the zoo thought the mom never experienced the necessary hormonal cues that come during natural and full-term birth, so the mom gorilla showed little internet in her newborn. The zoo introduced the little gorilla named Jameela to a surrogate named Gracie, and after that attempted failed they tried with another surrogate named Winifred.
The zoo announced on Facebook on Friday that due to the failure of Winifred to bond with Jameela, the zoo has made the heartbreaking decision to send Jameela to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to have Jameela meet a proven surrogate.
The zoo posted on Facebook in part, "While we hoped for a different outcome – one that includes Jameela fully integrated into our troop – our main goal has always been that Jameela is raised by gorillas. In conjunction with our reintroduction efforts, we have been in communication with our national partners for several weeks, searching for an institution that can not only meet her needs, but has a female gorilla with proven surrogate experience. We have determined that her next best step is a move to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo where they will make every effort to successfully integrate Jameela into their troop."
Related: Texas Zoo Welcomes Baby Gorilla Delivered by Emergency C-Section
What's Next for Jameela
Jameela's departure is said to be set for early next week, and the Cleveland Metropark Zoo posted a press release about her upcoming arrival.
The press release reads in part, "We have been in close contact with Fort Worth Zoo and following Jameela’s journey,” said Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Executive Director Dr. Chris Kuhar. “We’re thankful for the partnership with Fort Worth Zoo and the tremendous work by their team. As AZA accredited organizations, we have the ability to leverage strong collaborations like this to ensure the best positive wellbeing for the animals in our care. Together our zoos, along with the entire Gorilla SSP, are hopeful that Jameela will quickly bond and thrive with our troop.”
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s troop has had recent success in gorilla fostering – the troop’s eldest female gorilla, Fredrika or “Freddy,” quickly adopted Kayembe in 2021 after Kayembe’s birth mother similarly didn’t display proper maternal care following his birth.
Here's hoping that this new surrogate welcomes baby Jameela at her new foster home in Cleveland. It's so wonderful that both these fantastic zoos have worked in partnership to give this little girl the best start in life possible. We can't wait to see where her journey takes her.
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