FORT WORTH, Texas – The Fort Worth Zoo welcomed a new addition to its family.
Baby gorilla Jameela, whose name means beautiful in Swahili, was born prematurely after her mother, Sekani, was diagnosed with preeclampsia four to six weeks before her baby’s birth.
Preeclampsia is a blood-pressure condition that can happen during pregnancy in both humans and primates.
Veterinarians determined an emergency cesarean was needed for Jameela’s birth to save the mother and the baby on Wednesday.
Watch these adorable videos shared on the zoo’s social media:
A little peek into Jameela’s first few days.
— Fort Worth Zoo (@FortWorthZoo) February 16, 2024
She was born weighing 3 pounds, 1 ounce and consumed about 2.5 ounces of milk in her first bottle … today, she weighs more than 5 pounds and is drinking a bottle three times as full as her first. pic.twitter.com/BZzvnuVYkz
And here’s an update on Mama Sekani. The zoo said since giving birth, she has made a full recovery but has not yet warmed up to her new baby.
Mama update! Many of you have been asking how Jameela’s mother, Sekani, is doing post cesarean section and we are happy to report she is doing very well! Sekani is healed up and has rejoined the troop — she can even be found back on habitat! pic.twitter.com/9VnFowoqN3
— Fort Worth Zoo (@FortWorthZoo) February 17, 2024