Utah’s Hogle Zoo is excited to welcome a male western lowland gorilla infant born May 30, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. Mom, Pele (pronounced pe-lay) and baby are doing well, and Pele is showing excellent maternal care.
The birth occurred naturally, as Hogle Zoo’s animal care team observed the delivery. Staff will continue to monitor Pele and the infant around the clock for additional positive signs that all is going well and that Pele and the infant are adjusting to their environment. Zoo guests may be able to see the baby as soon as this afternoon and this weekend.
In 2022, Pele (22) and her mother, Mary (37), came to Utah from Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, on a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP). The Gorilla SSP paired Pele with Hogle Zoo resident Husani, a 32-year-old silverback, as part of an accredited zoo program to provide a healthy, genetically diverse, and self-sustaining population.
The birth marks an important step in the conservation of western lowland gorillas. Threatened by illegal poaching, habitat loss, and mining, western lowland gorillas are critically endangered. Found in Angola, Gabon, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea, western lowland gorillas are the smallest of the four subspecies.
Update – June 13, 2024
The newest member of the gorilla troop has a name! Meet Addo, pronounced (ah-doh) His name is as strong and remarkable as he is, coming from the African Ga language of Ghana, where it means “King of the Road.”
Pele (mom), Addo, and the troop continue to do very well together. Our teams have seen many positive signs from Addo, like occasionally holding on tightly to Pele without her support – showcasing that strong nature! Husani (dad) stays close to Pele to get a glimpse of his son whenever Pele allows it. Overall, the troop is calm and behaving normally – all of which tells our team the troop is doing well.
Depending on what Addo, Pele, and the troop need, you might spot them outside, off-exhibit, or in their indoor spaces. The best times to see the troop are right at opening (9 am) and around 11:15 am for snack time.
Conservation threats to gorillas: