PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Zoo this week announced the arrival of an 11-year-old female western lowland gorilla, named Patty, to its growing family.
Patty came to the Zoo on an Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan breeding recommendation with the Zoo’s silverback, Motuba, to ensure the survival of this species and maintain a genetically diverse population, the zoo said in a press release.
Western lowland gorillas are considered critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They are threatened by several things, including habitat destruction due to mining and logging.
“Patty is a wonderful addition to our western lowland gorilla troop,” said Curator of Primates and Small Mammals Michael Stern. “Philadelphia Zoo has a rich history of successful gorilla births, and we are hopeful to see new offspring in the future as we continue our important work protecting and advocating for this critically endangered species. Our keeper team says Patty is confident and super smart.”
Patty was born on October 11, 2013, at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois. In her large family troop there, she played with and helped care for younger members of the group, which shows positive signs that she’ll be a great mom in the future.
The Philadelphia Zoo has had two successful births of western lowland gorillas in the last ten years.
On August 26, 2016, now 7½ -year-old female Amani was born to now 29-year-old Honi and Motuba. On June 2, 2017, now 6 ½ -year-old Ajabu was born to now 24-year-old Kira via an emergency assisted birth and has since moved to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo in Nebraska.
Western lowland gorillas are a critically endangered species found in lowland tropical forests of Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Congo and the Central African Republic. In the wild, gorillas gather in groups of 3 to 21 members, usually composed of one dominant male and various females. Young males often form bachelor groups as they mature. The male is the dominant figure, maintaining peace within the group, determining the daily routine of the troop and being the protector. They eat mostly fruit, leaves and other plant parts.
Western lowland gorilla gestation lasts around eight months with typically a single baby born, weighing about five pounds. In contrast with other primates, gorilla babies cannot hold onto their mothers right away but only after about three months. By four months old, they can walk on all fours and by six or seven months they are climbing all over their mothers.
Philadelphia Zoo is home to five gorillas: male Motuba and females Honi, Kira, and Patty, and adolescent female Amani.
