The baby gorilla born to 13-year-old Tumani at Audubon Zoo has passed.
The infant primate survived six days.
At first it appeared the infant gorilla was doing well, was active, and loved by his mother.
However, Wednesday night, zoo staff began to notice changes in the baby’s activity, that it seemed lethargic and weak in its mother’s arms.
The baby was taken to the Zoo’s animal hospital.
Attempts to revive the baby were unsuccessful.
The cause of death has not been determined.
Audubon Zoo says lack of adequate lactation from Tumani to support the infant.
“It has been reported that in the wild 42% of western gorilla mortality rates happen in the first year of life,” said Audubon’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Office Dr. Kyle Burks, PhD, Animal Behavior. “It’s very difficult to lose an animal in our care, but we understand the significance of this birth and the pivotal role Audubon and fellow AZA-accredited zoos play in saving this critically endangered species from extinction.”
Audubon Zoo’s World of Primates area is closed until further notice.