Detroit Zoo Welcomes First-Ever Baby Gorilla in 96 Years

For the first time in Detroit Zoo history, a baby gorilla has been born within its walls.

It's been an exciting week at the Detroit Zoo as history was made when 26-year-old Bandia gave birth to a baby gorilla, the first ever born in the zoo's 96-year history.

According to MLive, the baby, who doesn't have a name yet, was born in the early morning hours on Thursday, August 8.

Tami Brightrall, associate curator of mammals for the Detroit Zoological Society:

Bandia had a very smooth pregnancy, which is so important for a first-time mom. Throughout her eight-and-a-half-month pregnancy, she continued to participate in routine ultrasounds using positive reinforcement training methods, which allowed our team to check on the baby along the way and ensure everything was going well.

When Will Visitors Be Allowed to See The Baby Gorilla?

It's unclear when visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of the zoo's new addition. It all depends on Bandia's behavior and needs. Since she's a first-time mother, the zoo wants to keep things calm and quiet for a while. They also need time to observe how the other gorillas in the habitat will behave and react to the newborn.

Did you know the Detroit Zoo is open year-round? Well, for the most part, anyway. The Detroit Zoo is open 362 days a year. Visitors say that winter is a great time to see animals both indoors and outdoors.