Philadelphia Zoo gorilla is pregnant
Honi, one of the Philadelphia Zoo's western lowland gorillas, is pregnant. The zoo announced Monday that the 21-year-old gorilla is expected to give birth in early fall.
Honi, one of the Philadelphia Zoo's western lowland gorillas, is pregnant.
The zoo announced Monday that the 21-year-old gorilla is expected to give birth in early fall.
The baby will be the first gorilla born at the zoo in about 20 years, spokeswoman Dana Lombardo said.
"Honi is doing great but, as with any pregnancy, we are carefully monitoring her health," Keith Hinshaw, the zoo's director of animal health, said in a statement. "Although this is early in the pregnancy, by using ultrasound imaging, we are able to see that the baby has a normal heartbeat, which is a very good sign."
Honi is one of five residents in the zoo's western lowland gorilla exhibit. The others are Motuba, 31, the father of the expected baby; Louis, 16; Kira, 16; and Kuchimba, a 13-year-old who is Honi's son.
Honi "was a wonderful mother to her first offspring," Lombardo said. "We're very excited about this."
Honi was born at the Bronx Zoo. She and her son arrived in Philadelphia in March 2007.
Motuba was born at the Columbus Zoo and came to Philadelphia from Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo in February 2014.
After its birth, the baby will likely remain at the zoo for a number of years. Gorillas aren't typically separated from their mothers until they are 7 to 10 years old.
Western lowland gorillas are a critically endangered species.