COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia is mourning the loss the zoo’s first infant gorilla.
The infant gorilla was born in the breech position Thursday morning.
"Our staff is absolutely heartbroken," said John Davis, curator of mammals at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.
This was the first pregnancy for 11-year-old Macy, one of the zoo’s three female western lowland gorillas.
"Macy was a wonderful mother throughout her pregnancy and did everything exactly as she should. Everything was progressing as expected. However, with any pregnancy, there can be unforeseen complications,” Davis said.
The Gorilla Base Camp is closed to give Macy the time she needs, zoo officials said.
"Macy appears to be doing well right now. We will continue to monitor her behavior to determine our next steps and when we reopen Base Camp viewing," Davis said.
According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), there is an 80 percent survival rate of infants born to first-time gorilla mothers.
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