LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Louisville Zoo has an infant gorilla that can now been seen by visitors.
Abeo is making his debut at the zoo's award-winning Gorilla Forest. The 1.5 month old male Western Lowland gorilla is being fostered by Kweli, a 40-year-old female gorilla. Both are available to be viewed by guests.
According to a news release, Abeo was born June 28 at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle to Akenji, a first-time mother. But Akenji wasn't able to bond with her newborn, and a foster arrangement was unsuccessful.Â
Woodland Park Zoo officials worked with the Gorilla Species Survival Plan to secure a new home for Abeo. Kweli was selected because of her successful fostering of Kindi, a now 8-year-old sub-adult female gorilla.Â
"Kweli has been an exemplary foster mom, first with Kindi and now with Abeo," Louisville Zoo Director Dan Maloney said in a news release. "We are incredibly proud of Kweli’s care and her attentiveness. Like our visitors, we are looking forward to watching Abeo grow and thrive with the family troop at Gorilla Forest."
The zoo's Gorilla Forest team has provided constant care for Abeo. He was then introduced to Kweli through closely monitored bonding.
For updates on Abeo, click here.Â
The zoo on Trevilian Way is open daily year-round. Its hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but guests can stay until 5 p.m.
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