Calgary Zoo prepares ahead of expected arrival of baby gorilla in spring of 2022
The Calgary Zoo's western lowland gorilla troop is expected to grow in numbers in the coming months.
Zoo officials announced Tuesday that Dossi, a 20-year-old gorilla, is pregnant with her first baby.
The due date is set for late-April or early May 2022, but there is cautious optimism ahead of the arrival.
"Gorilla pregnancies are more likely to be unsuccessful the first time," said Jamie Dorgan, the zoo's director of animal care, health and welfare. "There are lots of challenges ahead of us but the animal care, health and welfare team will be supporting Dossi every moment along the way.
"Our goal is to create an optimal environment for her to deliver a healthy infant, where she can calmly and instinctively care for her baby while also navigating troop family dynamics."
The last successful gorilla birth at the zoo occurred in 2016 with the arrival of Kimani.
Dossi has been a member of the zoo's gorilla family since May 2009. The zoo will not separate her from the troop when she gives birth as it could potentially cause additional stress to her.
The western lowland gorilla is considered a critically endangered species due to poaching and habitat destruction primarily as a result of coltan mining for cell phone production.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.