Woodland Park Zoo Blog

 Post by Gigi Allianic, Communications Woodland Park Zoo is overjoyed to share the heartwarming news about baby boy gorilla Abeo (ah-BAY-oh), who was born at the zoo in June. To ensure his long-term benefits of growing as a gorilla, the zoo made a critical decision and moved him last month to Louisville Zoo in Kentucky where he could be socialized with a foster gorilla mom and multigenerational family of gorillas. Abeo with Kweli, Photo by Kyle Shepherd/Louisville Zoo Today, Abeo and his foster mom, Kweli (kway-lee), made their public debut together in Louisville Zoo’s award-winning Gorilla Forest. Kweli, 40 years old, was selected due to her successful experience fostering Kindi, Louisville Zoo’s now 8-year-old female gorilla, who was orphaned shortly after birth. Abeo was born June 28 at Woodland Park Zoo to Akenji, a first-time mom, and dad Kwame. Because Akenji hadn’t shown any interest in caring for her newborn, Abeo was placed under round-the-clock care; moreover, progress w...

Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications Our gorilla care team has lovingly named this baby Abeo, which means "bringer of happiness" in the Yoruba language. Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren A week ago, Woodland Park Zoo announced its critical decision to move its 1½-month-old male gorilla to another zoo to ensure he is raised by gorillas and grows up as a gorilla. He has safely arrived at his new home, Louisville Zoo in Kentucky, where he will be socialized with a foster gorilla mom and multigenerational family of gorillas. Woodland Park Zoo’s gorilla care team has lovingly named the baby gorilla, Abeo (ah-beh-OH), which means “bringer of happiness” in Yoruba, after a language spoken in West Africa. This is Kweli, an experienced, nurturing mother and surrogate. Photo courtesy of Louisville Zoo. Every precautionary measure was taken for the baby gorilla’s travel to reduce his health exposure and ensure his safe arrival. A Woodland Park Zoo gorilla caretaker and veterinarian accomp...