LINCOLN PARK — A Lincoln Park Zoo baby gorilla who was seriously injured in February is "thriving under 24-hour care" as she continues to recover, zoo officials announced Wednesday.
The zoo released a video of Nayembi, the 6-month-old Western lowland gorilla, and are hopeful she will soon be reunited with her mother and fellow gorillas.
"Our priority has always been to get Nayembi back with her mother, Rollie, and the rest of the troop," said primate curator Maureen Leahy in a written statement. "Over the past few months, Nayembi has been achieving important milestones in order to make that happen."
The update comes after Nayembi was apparently hurt by another gorilla on Feb. 20. Zoo staff found Nayembi in her mother's arms with a major cut to her face and injuries to the bones in her upper jaw.
Zoo officials said the baby gorilla has been making a strong recovery and is currently a healthy weight, acting normally and experimenting with solid foods.
The zoo's animal care staff have acted like gorillas — making gorilla noises and wearing "furry vests" for Nayembi to cling to — in order to aid in the baby gorilla's recovery.
