Fort Worth

WATCH: Baby gorilla Jameela’s surrogate mom turns 50 at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Surrogate mom Freddy carries baby gorilla Jameela on her back. Freddy adopted Jameela after she was moved to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo following her birth by C-section at the Fort Worth Zoo.
Surrogate mom Freddy carries baby gorilla Jameela on her back. Freddy adopted Jameela after she was moved to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo following her birth by C-section at the Fort Worth Zoo. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

The surrogate mother of Jameela, the baby gorilla born via C-section at the Fort Worth Zoo in January, turned 50 this week, and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo celebrated in style Wednesday morning.

“Freddy has led a remarkable life in part due to her adoption of Kayembe and Jameela — two young gorillas that needed maternal care,” a Cleveland Metroparks Zoo spokesperson told Cleveland 19 News.

Freddy, born in 1974, is the oldest gorilla in the Cleveland zoo’s troupe.

The zoo is selling a line of merchandise inspired by the gorilla.

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