SAN DIEGO — That cute little gorilla born at the San Diego Zoo’s
Safari Park Wednesday night was treated for a collapsed lung Friday and
is being watched over round-the-clock by veterinary staff, zoo officials
said.
The unnamed female was born to 18-year-old Imani in a cesarean
section performed after no progress was detected following several hours
of labor.
The 4.6-pound newborn showed complications believed to be related to
the difficult birthing process, and was given oxygen and supplemental
fluids at the park’s veterinary hospital.
This morning, the baby showed signs of respiratory distress, and
veterinarians discovered a collapsed lung that subsequently was
reinflated.
Park staff said the baby is showing progress and breathing better on
her own, but she still is receiving oxygen and supplemental fluids as
needed.
Imani, meanwhile, is recovering from the c-section.
“If this were a human you’d want no exercise for a few weeks after an
operation like this, but within 24 hours she was back with her troop
moving around like nothing ever happened,” said Jeff Zuba, San Diego Zoo
Global senior veterinarian. “We’re watching her closely, we’re not
encouraging her to move about like that but at this point she’s doing
great.”
The baby is the 17th gorilla to be born at the Safari Park, now home to eight members of the species, including the newborn.
