AssetID: 54698479
Headline: Gladys The Gorilla Shows Off Her Baby Bump
Caption: Here is twelve-year-old gorilla Gladys showing off her baby bump at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden's social media. The glowing gorilla is expecting her first child. Gladys, who arrived at the Zoo in 2013, was hand-reared after her mother at the Gladys Porter Zoo declined to care for her. The Cincinnati Zoo was selected by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) as her new home, due to its ability to provide both human surrogates and the potential for a gorilla surrogate mother. Now, more than a decade later, Gladys is preparing for motherhood herself. "Gladys has been set up exceptionally well for being a first-time mum, and we are prepared for every outcome, including providing her with the best maternal care and training her for different scenarios," said Ashley Ashcraft, head gorilla keeper at the Cincinnati Zoo. "We are all thrilled to see everything come full circle for her. She is an exceptional gorilla." Gladys has had a breeding recommendation from the AZA’s Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP) — the organisation responsible for managing gorilla populations in North American zoos — for nearly two years. However, the Zoo postponed breeding efforts after Gladys suffered a broken arm last year. She made history with the world’s first 3D-printed titanium cast, and after months of physical therapy to rebuild her strength, breeding efforts resumed. "Her arm has healed well, and we do not anticipate any issues with her carrying a baby," said Ashcraft. "Gorilla infants do most of the work to stay attached to their mothers, clinging tightly to their fur — something we prepared Gladys for in her youth by wearing special hair vests she could grip onto." Victoria McGee, the Zoo’s curator of primates, praised Gladys’ resilience: "Gladys’ journey — from being raised by human surrogates to becoming a confident member of the gorilla troop, and overcoming a significant injury — is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our primate care team. They have gone above and beyond for her and will continue to do so." The baby’s father is 22-year-old silverback Mbeli, who will also be a first-time parent. He has led the family group — which includes Chewie (29), Mona (10), Elle (9), and Gladys — since the death of the previous silverback in 2022. "As we celebrate our 150th anniversary, the news that Gladys is expecting is a perfect symbol of hope and progress," said Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard. "Our Zoo has been a global leader in gorilla care and conservation for more than five decades, with over 50 gorilla births since 1970. Each new arrival builds on that legacy and reminds us why our work matters — not just today, but for the next 150 years of wildlife conservation." Globally, there are around 765 gorillas in zoos, with approximately 360 managed under the Gorilla SSP. Western lowland gorillas, the species to which Gladys belongs, are critically endangered in the wild, with fewer than 175,000 individuals remaining.
Keywords: feature, photo, video, pregnacncy, gorilla, animals, apes
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