St. Paul Zoo Celebrates Birth of Gorilla

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A St. Paul zoo is welcoming the arrival of its first lowland gorilla baby.

The male gorilla was born Wednesday morning at the Como Zoo. He's the first baby for 12-year-old Alice, as well as the first gorilla birth at the zoo in its 55-year history of gorilla care and conservation. He is also the first offspring of 29-year-old Schroeder, who has been at the Como Zoo since 1991.

The zoo says the baby seems to be healthy and strong at approximately 4 lbs and is already forming a bond with his mother.

A gorilla mother is very protective of her baby and will carry it on her chest for the first three months. After about six months the baby will begin riding on its mother's back.