ZooBorns

Playing Mom for a Baby Gorilla

Back in April and May, we brought you the story of Misha the Louisville Zoo's baby gorilla, which had been injured by a surly male gorilla. To facilitate her recovery, it was determined that Misha should be moved to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, which is internationally recognized for caring for gorillas in social groups including the placement of young gorillas with surrogate mothers. Surrogates are taught to not only care for their baby like their own but also to bring the baby over to staff when prompted for bottle feedings, medication and regular check-ups. For now though, Misha spends most of her time with zoo staffers as you can see in the must watch video below.

Photo credits: Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

Louisville's Slugger Fights On!

The Louisville Zoo’s female infant baby gorilla (born February 6, 2010), is continuing to improve after a family skirmish left the infant injured. Happily, the Zoo’s veterinary team now says her prognosis is good. The infant is in an off-exhibit area in Gorilla Forest being hand raised by staff who are physically holding and caring for her 24 hours a day. To aid and speed recovery, she is continuing to receive aggressive nutritional support and antibiotic therapy. She is also on iron supplements to help with her anemia.

 

Photo Credits: Kara Bussabarger/The Louisville Zoo

All Hail the King (Penguin)!

On February 17th, the Newport Aquarium welcomed a King Penguin chick. The little hatchling is covered in a light fuzz and looks a little like a baby dinosaur to us. As the second largest species of penguin, King Penguins grow for 16-18 months before they ever enter the water, which is much longer than most other penguins.

First U.S. Born Gorilla of 2010! Congrats Louisville!

Louisville Zoo’s 20-year-old Western Lowland Gorilla Mia Moja gave birth to her second baby on Saturday, February 6. It is the first gorilla baby born in North America this year and the second gorilla ever born in the Zoo’s 41-year history. The first was male Azizi born to Makari on December 4, 2003, a year after Gorilla Forest opened in May of 2002.

 

 

 

Photos Courtesy Louisville Zoo

Louisville's "Little" Slugger

A new baby Masai giraffe was born on Monday, January 11, 2010, to 22-year-old mother Mariah. This calf is the 20th giraffe to be born in the Louisville Zoo’s 40 year history. A naming contest is planned and details will be announced at a later date.

(Photos: Kara Bussabarger/Louisville Zoo)

Rare Ducklings Born at the Louisville Zoo

Although adult Meller's Ducks look very similar to the common Mallard, they are a distinct, and highly endangered species native only to Madagascar. Keepers at the Louisville Zoo were startled to discover two eggs in the Meller's Duck enclosure during a routine cleaning in May. After 26 days in the incubator, two tiny ducklings were born and are doing well.

Photo credits: Kara Bussabarger / Louisville Zoo

Baby Addax Are All Legs

Addax, also known as screwhorn antelope, are critically endangered in their native home of the Sahara Desert. Luckily for the rare addax, they adapt well to captivity and breed fairly easily. Luckily for us, they are adorable! 

Baby Fola and Saffiya were born in April of 2008 at the Louisville Zoo.