The L.A. Zoo Welcomes An Adorable Baby Gorilla — The Fifth Great Ape Born In A Yearlong ‘Baby Boom’

Clumsy, curious, and undeniably cute, baby animals have a way of melting hearts with every small movement, especially when they belong to species most people will only ever see in the wild or in protected environments. And that’s exactly the case at the L.A. Zoo, where the new year is kicking off with a special arrival. 2026 begins with big the birth of a baby western lowland gorilla, born late last year on November 22. This new arrival marks the fifth great ape born at the local zoo during 2025. Just over one-month-old, the baby joins an already notable lineup that includes three chimpanzees and a Bornean orangutan, officially marking what zoo officials are calling a full-on “baby boom”. The gorilla was born to 31-year-old mother N’djia and 38-year-old silverback Kelly. The baby has not yet been named, and its sex has not been confirmed. After spending its first days bonding behind the scenes, the infant is now on exhibit at the Campo Gorilla Reserve, where visitors can see it clinging closely to its mother as it begins to explore its surroundings. All five great ape births occurred within roughly a four-month period, a rare and tightly packed timeline that underscores the success of the zoo’s carefully managed breeding and conservation programs. The L.A. Zoo participates in Species Survival Plans, which pair animals based on genetics and long-term population sustainability, aiming to protect species whose numbers continue to decline in the wild. Source: https://secretlosangeles.com/la-zoo-baby-gorilla/