July Cute Critters

Kumbuka first arrived at Zoo Miami in 2007 from the Pittsburgh Zoo in hopes of breeding. This is her second infant; she lost her first baby but hopes are high for this newcomer. The new infant is currently on exhibit with the rest of the gorilla family, including the father, 32-year-old JJ, who has sired 4 offspring.

Gorillas have no specific breeding season. Females bear offspring every 3½ to 5 years and have a gestation period of approximately 8 ½ months. Gorilla babies weigh 2 to 5 pounds at birth and are weaned at around 8 months. By 2½ years, they can travel under their own power fast enough to keep up with the adults. Females reach sexual maturity at 6 to 7 years and males at 9 to 10 years.

The gorilla is the largest living ape and is found in the lowlands and mountains of western equatorial Africa to central and eastern Africa, depending on the sub-species. Commonly known as the “gentle giant”, there are probably less than 10,000 of these majestic animals in the wild today. They are also a focus of the Zoo’s participation in the Species Survival Plan, (SSP) in which North American zoos collaborate to encourage the development of a self-sustaining zoo gorilla population, helping to ensure the survival of this endangered species. Each SSP manages the breeding of a species in order to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable.

This article was on Zooborns here