The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is welcoming an 11-week-old western lowland gorilla named Jameela from the Fort Worth Zoo “in hopes that one of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s adult female gorillas will step in as a foster mother to the infant.”

Jameela is expected to arrive in Cleveland next week.

Zoo officials say her birth in early January made international headlines after life-threatening complications threatened the health of her mother, Sekani, requiring an emergency cesarean -- the first in Fort Worth Zoo’s history.

“Unfortunately, Sekani and other female gorillas at Fort Worth Zoo did not show maternal behaviors that would indicate a successful bond with Jameela,” according to the zoo’s announcement Friday morning. “After attempts to introduce Jameela into the Fort Worth Zoo’s gorilla troop, it was collectively determined that her next best step is a move to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo where every effort will be made to successfully integrate her into their troop.” --

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