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Samantha the Gorilla Gives Birth

This is her first baby and the first gorilla birth at the ABQ BioPark Zoo since 2004.

August 11, 2022 - The ABQ BioPark has more exciting great ape news! Samantha the gorilla gave birth yesterday, August 10, 2022, at 10:29 a.m. Mom and baby are doing well, and have started nursing.

ABQ BioPark caregivers were present during the birth, but watched remotely via camera in order to avoid disturbing the natural process. At 15 years old, Samantha is a first time mom, so staff were ready to intervene for the health and safety of mom and baby. Luckily, this was unnecessary! Samantha did great!

Mom and baby will have access to their outside yard today. Guests should be prepared for the Ape Walk to be intermittently closed to allow for privacy and a quiet environment while baby and mom bond.

The father is 20-year-old Kojo, who came to the BioPark in early 2021. This is the first time the ABQ BioPark has welcomed a baby gorilla since 2004. We do not yet know the baby's sex. We look forward to sharing more photos and footage in the coming days and weeks!

MEDIA

B-roll is available for download here.

 samantha and baby gorilla