Overview

• The baby boy was born Saturday, Sept. 20, at 8:32 a.m., and both mother and infant are doing well.
• Gladys and 23-year-old silverback Mbeli are first-time parents, with Mbeli leading and protecting the family group.
• Volunteers ran a 24/7 remote baby watch for about four weeks, alerting staff to early labor before keepers quietly observed the birth.
• The newborn is the 51st gorilla born at the zoo, which has begun taking name suggestions via social media.
• Gladys recovered in 2024 from a broken arm using a custom 3D-printed titanium cast, and the zoo notes western lowland gorillas are critically endangered.