CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo announced Thursday that for the first time in 139 years, a gorilla has been born at the zoo. 

What You Need To Know

  • For the first time in the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s 139-year history, a gorillas has given birth

  • The infant gorilla was born on Oct.26

  • The infant’s mother has not cared for the infant

The gorilla was born to mother Nneka (23), and dad, Mokolo (34), on Oct. 26. The zoo will announce a public naming opportunity at a later date.

The zoo said that guests can see the infant gorilla daily from 11 a.m. through 3 p.m.

“We’re thrilled to announce the birth of this gorilla, the first in our history, as we also look ahead towards the future at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo,” said Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian M. Zimmerman. “Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has been an international leader in gorilla research, care and management and our newly announced multi-year partnership with CrossCountry Mortgage will bring new engagement and other exciting opportunities to our zoo as well as all of Cleveland Metroparks.”

The zoo said the infant’s mother did not show appropriate maternal care, but another one of the zoo’s gorillas, Freddy, has been showing care for the gorilla. Freddy has previously cared for four infant gorillas. 

Over the past several days, Freddy has been bringing the newborn to be bottle fed by Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s animal care team, the zoo said.

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