Cleveland Zoo Welcomes Its First-ever Baby Gorilla — See the Cuteness

Want to see a western lowland gorilla without having to venture halfway across the world and navigate all the Covid restrictions that would entail? Just head to Cleveland.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo just welcomed its first-ever baby gorilla.

Born at the zoo on Oct. 26, the adorable addition, a male, weighed in at a whopping three pounds and is expected to nurse for about three years, according to the zoo. Mom Nneka and dad Mokolo are doing well, though another gorilla mom in the pack, Freddy, has stepped in to help, shuffling the newborn to zookeepers for bottle feedings.

The baby primate, however, does not have a name yet. The 183-acre Ohio zoo plans to ask the public to help them select the perfect name for the baby western lowland gorilla. It's not yet clear exactly how they'll do that, but stay tuned for details.

Guests will be able to visit the newborn and other gorillas who call the zoo home every day between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

And if you can't make it in person, don't fret too much. The zoo will be releasing what's sure to be an adorable collection of gorilla baby videos soon.

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, which traces its history to 1882, is part of a broader effort to promote the long-term survival of gorillas around the world. Through the Gorilla Species Survival Plan, it also works with scientists to protect gorilla populations in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The zoo houses one of the largest collections of primates in North America.

As recently as 2007, The World Conservation Union reclassified Western gorillas — the only kind you'll encounter in a zoo — from endangered to critically endangered. It's unclear exactly how many remain around the world, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

Meena Thiruvengadam is a travel writer who loves historic plaques, wandering new streets, and walking on beaches. Find her on Facebook and Instagram.