CALGARY – The Calgary Zoo announced on Thursday that its pregnant gorilla had given birth to her first baby.
Kioja gave birth at around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, marking the first gorilla birth at the Calgary Zoo since Yewande in 2008.
Officials with the zoo said Kioja and her baby have been seen bonding, nursing and demonstrating other positive behaviours.
The Calgary Zoo’s gorilla troop consists of silverback leader Kakinga, 37, and females Zuri, 18, Dossi, 15, Kioja, 15 and Yewande, seven.
Kakinga is the father of the baby gorilla. He has fathered nine other offspring since 1993. Seven are still alive and all were born at the Calgary Zoo.
The TransAlta Rainforest building will be closed over the weekend as the troop adjusts to its newest member.