Zoo Atlanta's newborn gorilla dies

Caption

Kambera, a western lowland gorilla at Zoo Atlanta, delivered the 26th gorilla born at the Zoo on Nov. 13, 2024. But the infant ape died less than a week later.

Credit: Josh Meyerchick

The infant born to western lowland gorilla Kambera on Nov. 13 has died, Zoo Atlanta said Monday, Nov. 18. 

“We are heartbroken by the loss of not just this special little individual, but by the loss of a newborn member of a critically endangered species. Like humans, newborn gorillas are very fragile, and the first few days of life are uncertain for any baby animal,” said Gina Ferrie, vice president of Collections and Conservation.

The infant, a female, had not yet been observed nursing on her own at first, Zoo Atlanta said. The Animal Care and Veterinary Teams briefly removed the infant from Kambera to conduct a thorough neonatal exam and to ensure that the infant was properly hydrated and fed. Following the exam, the zoo said the infant was promptly returned to her mother. 

Zoo personnel were encouraged when Kambera did begin nursing the infant and showed positive maternal behaviors the new mother had already been displaying since the birth. But the infant was observed to be deceased Monday morning.

“If there is an encouraging takeaway from this sad moment, it is that we were so encouraged to see Kambera, who had not previously reared an infant, display all of the maternal inclinations we hoped to see," Ferrie said. "Our teams worked tirelessly and with outstanding commitment to help Kambera prepare for the birth and, following the birth, to ensure her and her infant’s wellbeing.”

A necropsy to learn the infant’s cause of death is forthcoming, the zoo said.

The infant’s father, Willie B. Jr., and the rest of the troop, which includes females Shalia and Amari and Shalia’s son, 18-month-old Willie B. III, continue to remain with Kambera.

Zoo Atlanta said that Kambera had rejected another offspring born at another organization prior to moving to Zoo Atlanta. Over the past 18 months, she has had opportunities to observe the maternal care of experienced parent Shalia, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Gorilla Species Survival Plan® (SSP) recommended that Kambera become a member of this troop for this reason.