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Baby gorilla dies at Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
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Moka, a western lowland gorilla, cradled her newborn baby at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium in February. The baby died over the weekend. -
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The baby gorilla born at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium in February has died, zoo officials said today.
On Friday, the gorilla, a male who had not been given a name, appeared lethargic and weak in the arms of its mother, Moka, said Barbara Baker, the zoo's president and chief executive officer.
The infant was transferred to the zoo's new Animal Care Center, where he died early Saturday morning, Ms. Baker said.
"The staff cares greatly about the animals here, and to lose one is very sad," Ms. Baker said.
PG VIDEOIt's not clear what caused the young animal's death. Results of a necropsy, an autopsy performed on animals, will be available in a few weeks.
When the gorilla was born Feb. 9, it was the first one born at the zoo since 2001. It was the first offspring born to Moka, a 15-year-old female brought to Pittsburgh from the Miami zoo in 2007, and Mrithi, a 20-year-old male who was the first gorilla born at the Pittsburgh zoo.
Mrithi is the lead silverback of the zoo's gorilla troupe.
Moka is doing well and has returned to the troop, Ms. Baker said.
First Published June 4, 2012 12:30 am
