Shock Twist at Columbus Zoo as ‘Male’ Gorilla Gives Birth to a Baby Girl

Exciting news at the Ohio Zoo! 

A US zoo had a big surprise when a gorilla they thought was male for four years gave birth to a baby girl gorilla.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio shared the astonishing news on Facebook.

COLUMBUS ZOO/FACEBOOK

They revealed that the gorilla named Sully had been living at the zoo with her mother since 2019, and everyone believed she was a male.

But the zookeepers discovered Sully gently holding the unexpected baby gorilla early on Thursday.

This amazing twist has amazed both the zoo staff and visitors, reminding us of the incredible surprises nature brings.

"We have an adorable surprise to share with all of you today! Our gorilla family just got a little bigger with the unexpected birth of a female baby gorilla! But here's the other incredible part: our dedicated keepers recently discovered that the proud mom, who was initially believed to be a male, is actually a female gorilla. Talk about a surprise twist!" the zoo announced on Facebook.

As per the zoo's official blog, such a situation occurs because it can be difficult to tell the sex of a gorilla when they are young.

"Until about age 8, males and females are about the same size, and they don't have prominent sex organs," the blog stated.

COLUMBUS ZOO/FACEBOOK

"As gorillas age, they become sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females look very different. However, males don't develop their characteristic large size, silver backs, and large head bumps (called sagittal crests) until age 12 or later," the zoo explained.

This complexity might have led to the initial misconception about Sully's gender, which was later delightfully overturned with the heartwarming discovery of her as a caring mother to the unexpected infant.

Sully's journey to motherhood at the Columbus Zoo took an interesting twist.

She was not born at Columbus Zoo, and her original carers maintained a "hands-off approach in their care," which may explain why her previous home thought the new mom was a male, the Columbus Zoo noted.

When Sully arrived in Columbus, she was a "young and healthy animal" and didn't require any medical procedures that would have led to the discovery sooner, the zoo said.

COLUMBUS ZOO/FACEBOOK

The blog also pointed out that pregnancy was overlooked because gorillas seldom display outward signs of carrying their young.

Due to the natural size of gorillas' abdomens and the relatively smaller size of newborns compared to human babies, pregnancies can be easily missed.

This inherent characteristic adds to the challenge of identifying pregnancies in these magnificent creatures.

As a result, the surprising arrival of the baby girl gorilla caught everyone off guard, further highlighting the fascinating mysteries of gorilla reproduction and the wonder of nature's unique ways.

Another factor that is; with limited direct interaction, determining the sex of a young gorilla can indeed become challenging.

However, Sully's new home at the Columbus Zoo provided a nurturing environment where her true identity as a female was eventually unveiled, as she embraced motherhood with great love and care for her surprise baby.

The zoo said that the infant appeared to be a healthy female. "The veterinary and animal care teams have not yet approached the infant, giving them time to bond with one another and with the rest of the troop, but will conduct a wellness exam soon," the facility said.

In addition to the astonishing revelation, a DNA test is planned to determine the newborn's father.

As the new mother and her baby girl gorilla bond and thrive, visitors will have the opportunity to witness their heartwarming moments at the zoo's gorilla habitat starting Friday.

Overall, the combination of the difficulty in identifying pregnancies and the timing of sexual maturity adds to the wonder and joy surrounding Sully's unexpected journey into motherhood.

"The infant appears to be healthy, and first-time mom Sully is taking good care of her," the zoo posted to its blog.

"The veterinary and animal care teams have not yet approached the infant, giving them time to bond with one another and with the rest of the troop, but will conduct a wellness exam soon."

COLUMBUS ZOO/FACEBOOK

Sully lives in a troop of gorillas, including three males and five females.

The zoo's release promises an exciting display for guests, allowing them to experience firsthand the joyous journey of this surprising gorilla family.

The anticipation of the DNA test and the chance to observe the mother and baby together add an extra layer of excitement to this captivating story at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

"This exciting event shines a spotlight on the importance of preserving these magnificent creatures and their habitats," the zoo posted to its Facebook page.

"Now that Sully and her baby have had some time to bond with one another and other members of their troop, we are proud to invite gorilla fans to officially celebrate the baby's birth by visiting the indoor gorilla habitat."