Fort Worth Zoo announces rare C-section birth of western lowland gorilla
The Fort Worth Zoo has announced the birth of Jameela, its third gorilla baby and the first to be born via Cesarean section at the zoo.
Jameela’s mother, 33-year-old Sekani, was expected to give birth in early to mid-February, said John Griffioen, the zoo’s assistant director of animal programs and conservation, at a news conference Wednesday. On Jan. 3, keepers noticed Sekani holding her head and exhibiting other symptoms of preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication that affects both humans and primates.
“Following testing that supported this diagnosis, we determined that intervention was necessary to save Sekani and to give her unborn baby the best chance for survival,” Griffioen said.
The zoo veterinary team reached out to Dr. Jamie Walker Erwin, a Fort Worth obstetrician and gynecologist, for advice. Erwin quickly assembled a volunteer medical team, including a neonatologist and an anesthesiologist. The team helped the zoo’s veterinarians perform an emergency C-section on Sekani on Jan. 5.
Erwin said assisting with the birth was “a highlight” of her career.
“The procedure was to the tee exactly like what we do in the human population, which is fascinating and wonderful,” she said.
Other zoos have occasionally had gorillas born by C-section, but it is uncommon, according to Sarah Cannizzo, an associate veterinarian at the Fort Worth Zoo.
“It makes it harder for us to study it because it just doesn’t happen all that often,” Cannizzo said.
Western lowland gorillas are a critically endangered species due to poaching and disease. They also have low birth rates.
“Any gorilla birth is tremendous,” Griffioen said. “It’s really important for the species. I mean, this is a species in peril, (Jameela’s birth is) really important for that. I think for our team, it’s even more meaningful to see all of this come together so quickly to know that we have this community support that’s ready to jump in and help us.”
Zoo staff have been working around the clock to bottle feed and care for Jameela. Even though her mother has recovered, Sekani hasn’t shown any interest in caring for the premature infant. According to Griffioen, it could be because she didn’t get the hormone fluctuations that would have occurred in a full-term birth.
Avery Elander, the zoo’s director of marketing and public relations, said caring for Jameela has been a team effort. About 40 people have helped with her feeding and care, including some zoo employees who don’t work with primates.
The staff is trying to train Gracie, a 24-year-old gorilla, to act as Jameela’s surrogate mother. Gracie has successfully given birth to two infants, including Bruno in November 2022. Gracie has already been trained for some maternal behaviors like “presenting” a baby so zookeepers can give the infant a visual examination through a protective mesh barrier.
“We’re very hopeful that Gracie will be an ideal surrogate mother and exhibit the maternal behaviors necessary for the baby to thrive,” Griffioen said.
Linda Roberts, the supervisor of primates, said in the meantime they’ve been giving Jameela formula with extra nutrients designed for human babies.
The 24-hour care that Jameela needs has been exhausting but rewarding, Roberts said.
The name Jameela, which means “beautiful” in the Swahili language, was chosen not only for the meaning but also as a way to honor the OB/GYN who helped with her delivery, according to Roberts.
“Jameela is kind of like Jamie, so we’re naming the baby Jameela for Jamie, because of her assistance and her immediate response to our need,” Roberts said.
This story was originally published February 14, 2024 at 5:10 PM.
