Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Fort Worth Zoo today announced that Jameela, an 11-week-old western lowland gorilla, will join Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s gorilla troop. The addition, spearheaded by collaboration through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), was recommended in the hopes that one of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s adult female gorillas will step in as a foster mother to the infant.
Jameela’s birth in early January 2024 made international headlines after life-threatening complications threatened the health of her mother – Sekani – requiring an emergency cesarean – the first in Fort Worth Zoo’s history. Unfortunately, Sekani and other female gorillas at Fort Worth Zoo did not show maternal behaviors that would indicate a successful bond with Jameela. After attempts to introduce Jameela into the Fort Worth Zoo’s gorilla troop, it was collectively determined that her next best step is a move to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo where every effort will be made to successfully integrate her into their troop.
“Our main goal has always been that Jameela is raised by gorillas,” said Mike Fouraker, executive director of the Fort Worth Zoo. “We have been in contact with the team at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and are hopeful that our ultimate goal will be met. We are grateful to the incredible Fort Worth team who have dedicated around-the-clock care to Jameela since her birth. She is now a healthy 8-pound infant gorilla and we look forward to watching her journey continue in Cleveland.”
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s troop has had recent success in gorilla fostering – the troop’s eldest female gorilla, Fredrika or “Freddy,” quickly adopted Kayembe in 2021 after Kayembe’s birth mother similarly didn’t display proper maternal care following his birth.
The Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP) cooperatively manages the care of nearly 350 gorillas in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Gorilla SSP has been advising and supporting the Fort Worth Zoo team since Jameela’s birth and ultimately determined that Cleveland Metroparks Zoo was the next best opportunity for Jameela to find a foster gorilla.
“We have been in close contact with Fort Worth Zoo and following Jameela’s journey,” said Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Executive Director Dr. Chris Kuhar. “We’re thankful for the partnership with Fort Worth Zoo and the tremendous work by their team. As AZA accredited organizations, we have the ability to leverage strong collaborations like this to ensure the best positive wellbeing for the animals in our care. Together our zoos, along with the entire Gorilla SSP, are hopeful that Jameela will quickly bond and thrive with our troop.”
Jameela is anticipated to arrive next week, and guests can stay connected to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s social media pages for updates on the troop.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a long-term leader in gorilla research, care and management. The troop was featured internationally on Netflix’s “Baby Animal Cam” and “Baby Gorilla Cam” in fall 2023. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo also works closely with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to help train young Rwandan scientists at the Ellen Campus in Rwanda and support the protection of critically endangered Grauer’s gorillas in the Nkuba-Biruwe Conservation Area in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Only 1,000 mountain gorillas remain in two populations in Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC. Fewer than 6,800 Grauer’s gorillas remain in DRC.
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