Baby Gorilla at Cincinnati Zoo Bonds With Surrogate Mom

  • 11 years ago
A five-month-old baby gorilla recently got to meet her new surrogate mom. The young gorilla in question is named Gladys and earlier this year, she was rejected by her birth mother.

Just like for humans, a mother's care is critical for animals as well.

A five-month-old baby gorilla recently got to meet her new surrogate primate mom.

The young gorilla in question is named Gladys. Earlier in 2013, she was rejected by her birth mother.

Workers at The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden took over as temporary human surrogates to get in some bonding time and teach her the basics of being a gorilla caring for her 24/7, but they knew she would need a primate mom.

On Monday, June 17th, she was introduced to her new surrogate gorilla mother at the zoo. The adult female gorilla is already a mom, as she gave birth in 1995 at the zoo.

Gladys and her surrogate mom are spending time bonding with each other and seem to enjoy each other's company. They’re even taking their naps together.

An authority at the Cincinnati Zoo stated “Gorillas like all primates must live with their own kind to achieve the psychological fulfillment vital to a long, healthy and happy life.”

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