A baby gorilla recently born at the Fort Worth Zoo is now struggling to find her place within her troop.
Last month, The Dallas Express covered the welcoming of baby Jameela at the Fort Worth Zoo after her mother Sekani had to undergo a cesarian section. The emergency procedure was undertaken after Sekani was diagnosed with preeclampsia, which threatened the health of her and her baby.
As a result of the procedure, the first C-section in the zoo’s 115-year history, Sekani did not release some of the essential hormones that help mothers and their offspring bond. Now, Jameela is struggling to fit in with her family.
The zoo says efforts to reunite the mother and daughter have been unsuccessful, with Sekani showing “little interest” in the baby gorilla. Unfortunately, a second attempt to bond Jameela with another gorilla, Gracie, similarly failed.
The zoo is not giving up yet. They are training a third female gorilla named Winifred — Fred, for short — to care for Jameela. While Fred lacks her own offspring, the zoo says she has shown interest in the lonely baby.
“Our goal is — and always has been — to make sure Jameela is raised by gorillas. While we work with Fred over the next week, we are also consulting with our national partners about the best next steps. In the meantime, Jameela is healthy, strong, and growing like a weed!” the Fort Worth Zoo posted on its official X page.
Some users took to the platform to express their sadness over the fate of baby Jameela.
“So sad, I do hope they can get one of their female members of the group to adopt her. I know they are doing their best but Jameela needs #gorilla guidance,” wrote one user on March 5.
