Premature Baby Gorilla Delivered at Fort Worth Zoo in Emergency C-Section, Mom Makes 'Full Recovery'

Mar. 15, 2025

Jameela, the premature gorilla born at the Fort Worth Zoo in January.Photo:TMX/fort Worth Zoo

TMX/fort Worth Zoo

Jameela’s mother, Sekani, has “made a full recovery” since the procedure.

The Fort Worth Zoo decided to operate after the 33-year-old gorilla mother started showing signs of a life-threatening blood pressure condition called preeclampsia before her due date, per thezoo’s website.

After consulting a local obstetrician and neonatologist, zoo staff and veterinarians decided that an emergency cesarean would give both primates “the best opportunity for survival.”

Jameela, the premature gorilla born at the Fort Worth Zoo in January.TMX/fort Worth Zoo

The zoo’s veterinarian team performed the cesarean section with assistance from Dr. Jamie Walker Erwin, Neonatologist Robert Ursprung, M.D., and Dennis Occkiogrosso, CRNA.

“Taking part in delivering Sekani’s infant via cesarean section was one of the highlights of my entire career as an OB-GYN,” Erwin said in a statement. “It is an honor and privilege to assist with care for this endangered species and to share my expertise with the veterinary staff at the Fort Worth Zoo. I was amazed at how Sekani’s anatomy matched that of my human patients.”

The zoo noted that Jameela required “resuscitation and stabilization, respiratory support, radiographs, and serial examinations” after her dramatic birth. Ursprung has continued to provide consultations “to help optimize temperature regulation and nutritional strategy, including oral feeding.”

“The zoo’s care team was incredible. Their ability to adapt to the care needs of a medically fragile infant was amazing to watch,” the medical professional added.

The zoo’s staff has also been responsible for making sure Jameela is near other gorillas so she can “learn the smells, sounds, and sights of the troop.”

The Fort Worth Zoo is training 24-year-old female gorilla Gracie, already a mother of two, to become the infant’s surrogate mother. The zoo hopes that Jameela will eventually join its troop of seven gorillas.

“It’s been incredibly inspiring to witness, and we are all hopeful that we can continue to watch this little one grow.”

source: people.com