It's a morning of celebration in Funkytown as the Fort Worth Zoo announced the birth of a new baby gorilla, the first to be born via cesarean section.
What's really notable about this birth is the process started last month! The surgery began between four to six weeks of the baby's birth date.
John Griffioen, assistant director of animal programs and conservation at the zoo, told the Dallas Morning News, "This baby has had quite an eventful first few weeks of her life."
While C-sections for gorillas have happened before, they are not common. Dr. Sarah Cannizzo, associate veterinarian at the zoo, said, "Typically they don't need our help and we want them to be able to take care of it themselves," adding that a plan for the birth is always in place, but the staff only steps in if it's absolutely needed.
In a news conference yesterday, zoo officials announced the name of the baby gorilla is Jameela, which means "beautiful" in Swahili.
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