FORT WORTH, Texas — The Fort Worth Zoo announced the birth of a female gorilla successfully delivered via emergency cesarean at the zoo on Jan. 5 after life-threatening complications impacted the health of the mother.
Jameela was born four to six weeks early after zookeepers observed her mother, 33-year-old Sekani, exhibiting symptoms of preeclampsia, a serious blood-pressure condition that can occur during pregnancy in both humans and primates. Following testing to support a preeclampsia diagnosis, zoo veterinarians intervened immediately.
Jameela was the third gorilla born in the zoo’s 115-year history but the first gorilla to be born via cesarean section.
The Fort Worth Zoo consulted with Jamie Walker Erwin, M.D., board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, who assembled a volunteer medical team to assist with the life-saving delivery procedure. On Jan. 5, the Fort Worth Zoo veterinary team, along with assistance from Dr. Erwin, Neonatologist Robert Ursprung, M.D., Dennis Occkiogrosso, CRNA, and supporting experts successfully performed Sekani’s cesarean and care of the premature female gorilla, the zoo said in a release.
“Taking part in delivering Sekani’s infant via cesarean section was one of the highlights of my entire career as an OB-GYN,” said Dr. Erwin of the procedure. “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.”
Fort Worth Zoo primate keepers began around-the-clock care and feeding for Jameela while Sekani recovered from the procedure. The zoo tried reuniting Jameela and Sekani numerous times, but unfortunately the 33-year-old gorilla showed little interest in caring for her baby. Zoo officials said though it’s hard to determine the exact reason why, experts suspect Sekani never experienced the necessary hormonal cues that come during natural and full-term birth, therefore resulting in disinterest in the baby.
Zoo keepers continued to constant care that included bottle feeding every two to three hours, ensuring appropriate temperature regulation, weight checks, monitoring of eliminations, and examinations. After two weeks and several unsuccessful attempts to reunite Jameela and Sekani, Fort Worth Zoo staff decided to shift focusing to training 24-year-old female gorilla Gracie to become a surrogate mother.
"Zookeepers are hopeful Gracie will be an ideal surrogate mother, exhibiting maternal behaviors that will be necessary for the baby to thrive: holding and carrying of the infant, protection, cooperation with zookeepers during feeding time, and teaching the little one necessary social skills she needs to be a gorilla," the zoo said in its release.
Jameela's name means “beautiful” in Swahili, the zoo said.
The Fort Worth Zoo said it will continue to share updates on social media about Jameela and Gracie’s surrogacy journey.
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