Washington, D.C. – The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) witnessed a joyous occasion on Saturday as they welcomed the birth of a baby western lowland gorilla, a critically endangered species, for the first time in five years.

The baby gorilla was born to its 20-year-old mother, Calaya, and its 31-year-old father, Baraka, marking the second successful birth for the pair.

The dedicated staff at NZCBI has observed Calaya nursing and caring for her newborn, and initial indications suggest that the baby is thriving. As the team prioritizes allowing Calaya ample space to bond with her baby, it may take some time before they can determine the sex of the newborn.

NZCBI is committed to keeping the public updated on the progress of their gorilla troop and will share photos and videos of the baby gorilla on their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts using the hashtag #GorillaStory. The current gorilla troop at the zoo includes Calaya, Baraka, Moke (Calaya and Baraka’s first offspring born in 2018), as well as a 41-year-old female named Mandara and her 14-year-old daughter, Kibibi.

Becky Malinsky, curator of primates, expressed great joy at the arrival of the new infant, stating, “We are overjoyed to welcome a new infant to our western lowland gorilla troop. Calaya is an experienced mother, and I have every confidence she will take excellent care of this baby, as she did with her first offspring, Moke. Since his birth in 2018, it’s been wonderful seeing her nurturing and playful side come out. I encourage people to visit our gorilla family and be inspired to help save this critically endangered species in the wild.”

Native to Africa, western lowland gorillas inhabit the forests of Gabon, Central Africa Republic, Cameroon, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified them as critically endangered due to habitat loss, disease, and poaching. Scientists estimate that the wild population of western lowland gorillas has declined by 60% in the past 20 to 25 years.

The National Zoo’s successful breeding program and the birth of this baby gorilla offer hope for the conservation of this remarkable species, emphasizing the importance of protecting their natural habitats and ensuring their survival for generations to come.