It's a Boy! Zoo Has New Gorilla.(Final)

Byline: Isabel Sanchez Journal Staff Writer

Hope and Marcus are, presumably, pleased to announce the birth of their son on Nov. 11 at the Rio Grande Zoo gorilla enclosure.

It is the mother's firstborn, the father's second.

Hope, 8, "is doing excellent as a mom," assistant director Tom Silva said. "She has far exceeded our expectations."

The baby gorilla is the second western lowland gorilla to be born at the zoo in four years. His half-brother, Mashudu, 3 1/2, is among the most curious about the new arrival, Silva said.

Sure enough, as Hope moved to a warm spot against the rock walls of the gorilla habitat on Wednesday, the barely visible baby curled in her left arm, Mashudu scooted over to join them.

Hope and Marcus, 19, are two of three adult hand-raised gorillas at the zoo; a third, Lina, protected Hope as Hope grew up. Hope's mother wasn't able to raise her, so Hope's show of good mothering is a testament to her ability to learn from others.