Officials at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden say a female Western lowland gorilla has been born at the zoo — but the mother has shown no maternal instincts.
The baby gorilla was born Saturday inside a Great EscApe day room to mother Ndjole and father Togo. Zoo veterinarian Dr. Jennifer D'Agostino says Ndjole was given several opportunities to bond with the baby during the first 24 hours after birth — but showed no interest.
Zoo officials are now providing care for the baby gorilla and will work with the Gorilla Species Survival Plan through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to determine whether the baby will be returned to a gorilla group or placed with a surrogate mother.
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