Cleveland Zoo officials said 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 previous announcement. “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.”

Zoo officials previously said the Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP) has been advising and supporting the Fort Worth team since Jameela was born “and ultimately determined that Cleveland Metroparks Zoo was the next best opportunity for Jameela to find a foster gorilla.”

Jameela's arrival comes as zoo officials say Cleveland’s troop had recent success in gorilla fostering after the eldest female quickly adopted Kayembe in 2021 after his birth mother “similarly didn’t display proper maternal care.”

RELATED STORY: https://www.wkyc.com/article/life/animals/baby-gorilla-jameela-cleveland-metroparks-zoo-fostering-freddy-video-update-fort-worth/95-41bcf197-cd28-434a-873a-a9a8341e52e2

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