Baby Gorillas the Newest Additions at Bronx Zoo

Two baby western lowland gorillas have been born at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo, in New York.

Julia, a 33-year-old gorilla, gave birth on March 10, while 19-year-old Tuti gave birth on April 17. Both baby gorillas were fathered by Ernie, a 31-year-old gorilla. The mothers have both reared babies successfully before; prior to now, Julia had two babies and Tuti had one.

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The newborns, which are part of a cooperative breeding program to enhance genetic viability of zoo animals, are the first gorillas born at the Bronx Zoo since 2006. The babies represent the 14th and 15th born at the zoo’s Congo Gorilla Forest exhibit since it opened in 1991. Fifty gorillas have been born at the zoo since 1972.

Currently, the zoo cares for 20 gorillas — the largest group of these apes in North America.

Gorillas have a gestation period of 8.5 months, and babies weigh about 4 to 5 pounds (1.8 to 2.3 kilograms) at birth. Mother gorillas will hold their baby until it is 4 months old. The little ones start eating solid food at 6 months, but continue nursing until 3 or 4 years of age.