Toledo Zoo welcomes baby gorilla

The Associated Press
Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017 11:27 a.m. | Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017 11:27 a.m.

Amur Tiger Cubs

Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium debuted two rare,endangered Amur tiger cubs.

TOLEDO, Ohio — The Toledo Zoo has welcomed a new addition to its Western lowland gorilla troop.

Zoo officials say the male Mokonzi was born overnight Thursday to 23-year-old mother Kitani and 29-year-old father Kwisha. The baby gorilla's name means governor in Swahili.

The zoo says this is the first western lowland gorilla born there since 2003. Officials say he is healthy, and the mother is taking good care of him.

The Kingdom of the Apes exhibit has been closed since Mokonzi's birth. Zoo officials expect it to reopen to visitors later this week.

Zookeeper Mike Payne tells The Blade newspaper that Mokonzi will remain at the zoo until he reaches puberty.

In this Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017 photo, Kitani holds her newborn son, Mokonzi, at the Toledo Zoo in Toledo, Ohio. The infant western lowland gorilla is the first born at the zoo since 2003. (Kurt Steiss/The Blade via AP)

Tribune-Review

This November 2017 file photos shows one of the two Amur tiger cubs during their debut to the public at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.

Andrew Russell | Tribune-Review

An eight week-old Amur tiger cub looks at members of the media during his debut to the public at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The cub is one of two, a female and male, who were born on September 25 to ten year-old, Tierney, her second litter.

Andrew Russell | Tribune-Review

An eight week-old Amur tiger cub shows off her claws during her debut to the public at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The cub is one of two, a female and male, were born on September 25 to ten year-old, Tierney, her second litter.

Andrew Russell | Tribune-Review

An eight week-old Amur tiger cub gets his footing during his debut to the public at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The cub is one of two, a female and male, who were born on September 25 to ten year-old, Tierney, her second litter.

Andrew Russell | Tribune-Review

An eight week-old Amur tiger cub eyes a piece of meat during her debut to the public at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The cub is one of two, a female and male, were born on September 25 to ten year-old, Tierney, her second litter.