ZOO ATLANTA IS SADDENED BY THE LOSS OF NEWBORN GORILLA

ATLANTA – November 18, 2024 – Zoo Atlanta is saddened to share that the infant born to western lowland gorilla Kambera on November 13, 2024, has died.  

Zoo Atlanta announced the birth on November 16, as well as shared that the infant, a female, had not yet been observed nursing on her own. Zoo Atlanta also shared that on November 15, the Animal Care and Veterinary Teams briefly removed the infant from Kambera to conduct a thorough neonatal exam and to ensure that the infant was properly hydrated and fed. Following the exam, the infant was promptly returned to her mother.  

In a very encouraging turn of events, Kambera did begin nursing the infant, and the teams were pleased to observe this development along with the positive maternal behaviors the new mother had already been displaying since the birth. Sadly, however, the infant was observed to be deceased this morning.  

“We are heartbroken by the loss of not just this special little individual, but by the loss of a newborn member of a critically endangered species. Like humans, newborn gorillas are very fragile, and the first few days of life are uncertain for any baby animal,” said Gina Ferrie, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation. “If there is an encouraging takeaway from this sad moment, it is that we were so encouraged to see Kambera, who had not previously reared an infant, display all of the maternal inclinations we hoped to see. Our teams worked tirelessly and with outstanding commitment to help Kambera prepare for the birth and, following the birth, to ensure her and her infant’s wellbeing.”  

A necropsy, or the animal equivalent of an autopsy, will be conducted to gain information which may shed more light on the infant’s cause of death.  

The infant’s father is Willie B. Jr. Willie B. Jr. and the rest of the troop, which includes females Shalia and Amari and Shalia’s son, 18-month-old Willie B. III, continue to remain with Kambera.  

Zoo Atlanta previously shared that Kambera had rejected another offspring born at another organization prior to moving to Zoo Atlanta. Over the past 18 months, she has had opportunities to observe the maternal care of experienced parent Shalia, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Gorilla Species Survival Plan® (SSP) recommended that Kambera become a member of this troop for this reason.  

(Photo: Josh Meyerchick)