After being born prematurely and enduring two failed surrogacy attempts, Fort Worth Zoo officials shared Friday that its baby gorilla Jameela would be transferred to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to continue her surrogacy journey.

Jameela was the third gorilla born in the zoo’s 115year history but the first gorilla to be born via Csection.

She was born prematurely because her mother, 33yearold Sekani, exhibited symptoms of preeclampsia, a serious bloodpressure condition that can occur during pregnancy in both humans and primates.

Following testing to support a preeclampsia diagnosis, zoo veterinarians intervened immediately, and Jameela was born fourtosix weeks earlier than full term on Jan. 5.

After her birth, Fort Worth Zoo officials tried reuniting Jameela and Sekani numerous times, but unfortunately the 33yearold gorilla showed little interest in caring for her baby.

Zoo officials said that, while it’s hard to determine the exact reason why the two never bonded, they suspect Sekani never experienced the necessary hormonal cues that come during a natural and fullterm birth, which would've triggered a traditional motherbaby relationship.

STORY: https://www.wfaa.com/article/life/ani...