PHOTOS: Lowland Gorilla Gives Birth at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

The animal care team at Disney's Animal Kingdom is delighted to announce the birth of a healthy baby western lowland gorilla! Mom Kashata delivered the infant (named Grace) Wednesday morning, May 1, and both mom and baby are doing well and bonding at Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail with the rest of the family troop. The entire family even joined in the celebration of the new baby’s arrival with a special enrichment tactic to reveal the baby’s gender!

Kashata and the baby’s father, Gino, were chosen to breed through the Species Survival Plan (SSP). The program is overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and ensures responsible breeding of critically endangered species, such as western lowland gorillas, so they will have healthy, genetically diverse populations for years to come.

This birth marks another success for the dedicated team of Disney animal care experts, who are proud to play an important role in the worldwide conservation and understanding of this important species.

The team has decided to name the baby Grace after the GRACE gorilla sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is dedicated to helping gorillas orphaned by poaching. Animal care experts from Disney’s Animal Kingdom have spent more than 10 years helping the GRACE team and local community rehabilitate orphan gorillas and protect the species in the wild.

Guests visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom can join in the celebration of the baby’s arrival by visiting Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and may catch a glimpse of Kashata and the baby. Exclusive photo opportunities are also available, as well as a specialty cupcake, available for purchase at Tamu Tamu Refreshments.

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