SEATTLE — Visitors at Woodland Park Zoo will soon say goodbye to one of its newest animals, a baby gorilla that was born in June.
The gorilla's mother did not have any interest in him, so staff have been taking care of him behind the scenes as they look for another mother gorilla to properly care for the young primate.
"While we always hope that our babies live their entire lives with us,” said Martin Ramirez, the Woodland Park Zoo interim director of animal care. “We're prepared and recognize that this is important."
It's an important decision regarding this baby boy gorilla that was rejected by its mother.
"With her it was a good three weeks that we were actually giving her an opportunity,” Ramirez said. “Again, we were very hopeful that we would see positive signs with her and again they just didn't happen."
Zoo staff even tried training three other gorilla moms to care for him but said the process was not going fast enough. So, the baby is now being transferred to another zoo with a surrogate gorilla mother who has taken care of other babies in the past. Visitors at the zoo believe it's the right move.
"I think if the baby is not finding a mother here, trying to help him find another mother that will take care of him sounds like a good effort on the zoo," Chelsea Barduson said.
"They're adorable and I would love to see it in person but I want it to find a loving home," Thea Debroux said.
Ramirez said a mother gorilla rejecting its baby isn't unusual. But it could be a first for the Woodland Park Zoo.
"This is the first time we've had to do it in the time I've been here in 18 years," Ramirez said.
However, transferring animals to other zoos to ensure their well-being is common. On average Woodland Park Zoo transfers 75 animals a year and takes in about 50 animals a year.
"We hope to see some gorillas later, but if we don't maybe next time," Barduson said.
And the next time, we hear about this baby gorilla, he'll be at his new home.
“We wish him well and we're very confident that this new facility will provide the great care that we would've given him," Ramirez said.
Officials did not say where exactly the baby gorilla will be transferred to but they'll let us know once he's there.
Zoo officials also said its only tapir is being sent to the Fresno Zoo to be with other tapirs. People will have a chance to see her until Aug. 27.