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Como Zoo's newborn gorilla dies

A necropsy will be performed in an attempt to determine the cause of death.

By Danielle Haynes
Alice the gorilla holds her newborn baby at The Como Zoo in St. Paul, Minn. The baby died Monday less than one week after he was born. (Courtesy of The Como Zoo)
Alice the gorilla holds her newborn baby at The Como Zoo in St. Paul, Minn. The baby died Monday less than one week after he was born. (Courtesy of The Como Zoo)

ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 24 (UPI) -- The Como Zoo in St. Paul, Minn., on Monday announced the first baby gorilla born at its facility has died.

Twelve-year-old Alice the gorilla gave birth Wednesday to a 4-pound baby boy. It was the first for Alice and the 29-year-old father, Schroeder.

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It was also a first for the zoo, which is considered a leader in gorilla care and conservation.

At just days old, the unnamed newborn gorilla died Sunday, the news said in a news release.

"Since the baby's birth, he and Alice were under zookeeper watch and care around the clock. The baby had appeared as if he was doing well through Saturday evening," the release said.

"On Sunday morning it was apparent that the baby was weak and his health failing. While the intervention process was happening the baby was set down by Alice and the zookeepers were able to retrieve him without the need to immobilize Alice. Resuscitation efforts on the infant were quickly preformed but were unsuccessful. A necropsy will be performed in an attempt to determine the cause of death. Preliminary hypothesis is that the death may be due to complications with food intake."

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The Como Zoo is one of 52 facilities across the United States that takes part in the Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP).

Dr. Kristen Lukas, director of Conservation & Science at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and chair of the Gorilla SSP issued a statement saying the SSP community shares with the zoo's "heartbreak over this sad event."

"It is always difficult to lose a young one but we fully understand the significance of this particular birth for Como Zoo and are very sorry for your loss," she added.

According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, 26 percent of male gorillas and 20 percent of females in captivity didn't make it to their first birthday. In the wild, the rate of mortality is up to 42 percent.

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