ST. PAUL, MN (CNN) -Visitors to St. Paul’s Como Zoo are in for a special and rare treat in the coming months.
For the first time in the zoos 117-year history, staff members are preparing for the births of two newborn gorillas.
A rare ultrasound from one of the expectant mothers, clearly shows the gorilla fetus just weeks from its birth.
The births are actually part of a larger gorilla survival plan to help preserve the highly endangered animal.
One look into a gorilla’s eyes and you can’t help but make a connection. It’s simply mesmerizing to watch a creature with so many human traits.
But it’s the approaching births from two of Como’s expectant females that’s creating the buzz, because, never in the zoo’s long history has one of its gorillas given birth.
Primate zookeeper Geoff Jungheim, will have a front row seat. He’s keeping watch from his office.
12-year old Alice could give birth any day, and Dara could give birth a month or so later.
“From what I’ve been told first time moms go early so we’re crossing our fingers, keeping a close eye on her,” says Jungheim.
Jungheim and his staff recently gave Dara an ultrasound, grabbing rare images of the fetus. Everything appears as it should, for a gorilla!
“It’s amazing to get a look inside like that and see what’s going on, the baby’s moving around in there, it’s fantastic,” he says.
And like any expectant father, the male gorilla, Schroeder, is both protective and edgy. One more reason staff here will let this play out as naturally as possible, and keep watch by webcam.
Wild gorillas are being decimated by poaching, habitat loss, even diseases like Ebola. That’s why Como is working with other zoos to help both educate and raise money to preserve them.