Busch Gardens Expecting Another Baby Gorilla This Spring

After a successful gorilla birth last December, Busch Gardens Tampa is excited to announce the pregnancy of 27-year-old endangered western lowland gorilla, Mary. Mary is expected to give birth in March 2015. Mary came to Busch Gardens in February 2010 from Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas with daughter Pele, who gave birth to a male this past December.
Bolingo, the suspected sire, was Busch Gardens’ first gorilla birth in 2005.

While Mary has given birth five times, this is her first pregnancy at Busch Gardens, and would be the park’s third successful birth.

This pregnancy is part of Busch Gardens’ participation in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP). The mission of the SSP is to cooperatively manage specific, and typically threatened or endangered, species populations within AZA-accredited facilities. Busch Gardens’ participation helps create genetically diverse, self-sustaining populations to guarantee the long-term future of these animals.

Baby Gorilla Naming Contest

Busch Gardens is giving fans the chance to name its current baby male gorilla! By simply logging on to the Busch Gardens Tampa Facebook page, fans can cast their vote for their favorite name.  The naming poll will take place now through Monday, Jan. 26.

PHOTO: © 2015 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.