Baby gorilla thrives with human surrogate at U.S. zoo

By Staff The Associated Press

Posted March 28, 2013 1:41 pm

Updated March 28, 2013 2:09 pm

1 min read

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Cincinnati Zoo Botanical Garden Primate Team Leader Ron Evans works with 2 month-old "Gladys", a Western Lowland Gorilla, as he acts as a surrogate mother, on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 in Cincinnati. Evans saysGladys is in good health, developing and growing quickly with loving care from 10 humans imitating a gorilla moms behavior. This week she moved from her belly to all fours for the first time. She came to Cincinnati last month from Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, after she was born there Jan. 29 to a first-time mother who showed little maternal instinct. It was decided to move her to Cincinnatis zoo because of its extensive experience in raising gorilla babies and its availability of experienced gorilla mothers. (AP Photo/The Cincinnati Enquirer, Glenn Hartong) .

CINCINNATI, Ohio – A baby gorilla being raised temporarily by human surrogate parents is doing well – learning to roll over, sit up and getting ready to walk on all fours.

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden primate specialists say “Gladys” is in good health and is developing and growing quickly with loving care from 10 humans imitating a gorilla mom’s behaviour.

Her human caregivers are starting to focus on preparing her for a transition to a new gorilla family. They have been showing her to other gorillas and letting them touch her.