Zoo Atlanta announces the rare birth of twin western lowland gorillas

for updates on the twins click here

ATLANTA - November 1, 2005 - Zoo Atlanta, a leader in the study of gorilla behavior, announced that Kuchi, a 21 year-old female western lowland gorilla, gave birth to twins on Monday, October 31 in the evening at Zoo Atlanta. The birth of twins is extremely rare. Six incidences of twin gorilla births in North American Zoos have been recorded since 1966, with only three sets surviving.

The twins are the first offspring born to Zoo Atlanta’s newest silverback Taz and the third and fourth offspring for mother Kuchi. The gender of the babies is unknown, as gorilla mothers tend to hold their babies close to their bodies once they are born. It is also too early to determine whether the offspring are fraternal or identical.

Click a thumbnail below to view video.

kuchi with twins

“The Zoo Atlanta family is elated at the news of twin gorilla babies. We encourage members and guests to visit the newest additions,” says Dennis Kelly, Zoo Atlanta president and CEO. “We are proud to do our part to support a species that is experiencing such catastrophic decline in the wild.”

Zoo Atlanta’s team of primate experts and veterinary staff will monitor the mother and offspring closely. “Kuchi is a proven mother; however, the next 48-hours will be crucial to the twins survival,” says Dr. Tara Stoinksi, Zoo Atlanta manager of conservation partnerships. “As a researcher studying western lowland gorillas, I am excited at the insight that these births can bring to those of us working to save this species from extinction.”

Guests can currently visit Kuchi and her offspring in Zoo Atlanta’s Ford African Rain Forest. Fifteen gorillas have been born and mother-reared at Zoo Atlanta since 1988. With a total of 22 western lowland gorillas, Zoo Atlanta has the second largest gorilla collection in North America. An additional three female gorillas are expecting, including Kudzoo who in early January is expected to give birth to the late Willie B’s second-generation offspring.

Zoo Atlanta also holds five gorillas that are considered geriatric at over 40 years of age. This species can survive approximately 50 years in captivity and only 30 to 40 years in the wild.

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