LOUISVILLE, Ky. (August 20, 2024) –The Louisville Zoo has welcomed a 1 ½-month-old infant male western lowland gorilla named Abeo (ah-bay-OH) to our award-winning Gorilla Forest habitat. His name means “bringer of happiness” in Yoruba, a language spoken in West Africa. Born on June 28 at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington., the infant is the offspring of Akenji, a first-time mom. When Akenji was unable to bond with her infant and when training another foster didn’t progress fast enough, Woodland Park officials moved into quick action to find suitable care for the infant gorilla.
Woodland Park Zoo collaborated with the Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP) to secure a new home. The SSP, a cooperative breeding program managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) aims to ensure a healthy, self-sustaining population of gorillas. The program maintains a list of potential foster gorillas across the country.
The Louisville Zoo’s 40-year-old female gorilla, Kweli, was selected to be the baby’s foster mom due to her success with Kindi – our now 8-year-old, sub-adult female gorilla. Kindi was orphaned after her mother, Mia Mojo, died the day after giving birth.
“While we always hope for a natural mother-infant bond, circumstances sometimes require alternative solutions for the well-being of the gorilla,” said Louisville Zoo Director Dan Maloney. “Our Gorilla Forest care team’s successful work with Kindi and Kweli stands as a testament to their expertise. Kweli is a dedicated mother, and Kindi is thriving in her family group, showing all the proper, healthy gorilla behaviors. I look forward to seeing this young gorilla flourish with his new family.”
The Gorilla Forest keeper team will provide round-the-clock care for the infant, including feeding, socializing, and using behavioral cues, including vocalizations like those of a gorilla mother. This approach will mirror the successful process implemented with Kindi in 2016. The team will work to ensure that the infant can navigate the habitat and respond to training cues, including coming to the habitat mesh on request to receive a bottle. Initially, interactions with the adult gorillas will occur through a mesh panel, known as a “howdy door,” to facilitate gradual introductions. Once these key milestones are met, the infant will have closely monitored bonding sessions with Kweli, his foster mother, before being integrated into the existing gorilla troop. This troop includes silverback Casey (42 years old), adult females Paki (35 years old), Kweli (40 years old), young female Kindi (8 years old) and recently added Patty (11 years old). The group will rotate with bachelor gorillas Bengati, Jelani, Cecil, and Kicho.
The infant gorilla’s highly anticipated public debut in the Gorilla Forest will occur after he has been successfully introduced to his new home and introduced to Kweli. The Zoo will provide updates on his progress through a dedicated blog at louisvillezoo.org/gorillafoster and via its social media channels.
Guests can also “adopt” Abeo through a special ADOPTS package which includes a plush gorilla, an adoption certificate, an animal fact sheet, a Zoo magnet, the adopter’s name listed on the Zoo’s website, a Fahlo bracelet that tracks gorillas in the wild and two admission passes to visit to the Louisville Zoo — all for $99. Visit louisvillezoo.org/adopts for more information and to purchase.
Only found in the dense forests of west central Africa, gorillas are critically endangered and could face extinction if stronger efforts are not mounted to protect them. The primary threats to their survival are illegal poaching, civil unrest, disease, and habitat destruction due to extractive industries such as mining.
The Zoo is open daily year-round. Summer hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (stay until 6 p.m.) through Sept. 22, 2024. The Zoo will close early on Saturday, August 24 (10 a.m. – 2 p.m., exit by 3 p.m.) for Brew at the Zoo with Wine and Food, Too! The Zoo is open year-round except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Visit louisvillezoo.org for more information.
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The Louisville Zoo, the State Zoo of Kentucky, is the top, non-profit, paid attraction in the state. The Zoo is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
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