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.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 30, 2024) – The Louisville Zoo proudly announces the birth of a Sumatran tiger cub, marking the first tiger birth in more than 20 years for the Zoo. Born at 7:40 p.m. on July 23, 2024, the cub is the offspring of 16-year-old male Kami Sambal (kah-me-sahm-ball) and 14-year-old female Jingga (Jean-gah; like the game). Both mother and cub are thriving under the dedicated care of the Zoo’s expert staff. Jingga is demonstrating all the appropriate behaviors of an experienced mother, grooming, nursing and carrying her neonate cub. 

Part of Zoo Babies presented by Norton Children’s

Meet Emmy! The Louisville Zoo asked fans to help name its female harbor seal pup — and the people have voted “Emmy” as the winner. Emmy was one of three names that also included “Grammy” and “Nobel.” Keepers proposed the award-style names to align with mother, Tonie, and father, Oscar.

The Zoo welcomed Emmy to the world on Friday, April 29, at 1:33 a.m. She shares a birthday with her mother.

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

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

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

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)

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.

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!