A rare emergency C-section performed by a team of Seattle-area medical specialists helped deliver a healthy baby gorilla after complications threatened the pregnancy at Woodland Park Zoo.
The western lowland gorilla, Olympia, gave birth to a 5.4-pound boy on Sunday, May 24, after veterinarians determined she could not safely deliver the infant on her own. The birth marked the first gorilla delivered by C-section in Woodland Park Zoo’s 126-year history and one of fewer than a dozen known gorilla C-sections performed worldwide.
Olympia, who was five days past her due date, was nearing the end of an eight-and-a-half-month pregnancy when an ultrasound revealed concerning changes that prompted immediate action.
“Due to this, we made the critical decision to put Olympia under anesthesia and call in a team of medical consultants to assess the fetus and determine the best intervention,” said Dr. Tim Storms, director of animal health at Woodland Park Zoo.
After Olympia was transported to the zoo’s veterinary hospital, veterinarians and human medical specialists conducted additional examinations and ultrasounds. The team found reduced amniotic fluid and an incompletely dilated cervix, signs that labor was not progressing.
“This meant that Olympia would not be able to deliver her baby without our help, so we made a critical decision to deliver the baby via cesarean section,” Storms said.
The surgery was performed by a volunteer obstetrical team from Swedish Medical Center alongside zoo veterinarians. The newborn was then examined and stabilized by neonatal specialists and emergency medical personnel.
The zoo said both Olympia and her son are recovering well, though staff remain cautious during the critical first days after birth.
“Thanks to the teamwork of the human doctors, veterinarians, and gorilla care team, Olympia and her baby are in good health and doing well,” said Martin Ramirez, curator of mammalogy at Woodland Park Zoo. “Given the positive indicators so far, we remain optimistic but are also cautious because the situation is very fluid and fragile.”
The birth comes just days after another gorilla in the troop, Jamani, welcomed a baby boy on May 18. Both infants share the same father, Nadaya.
The unusual situation took another unexpected turn when Jamani stepped in to help care for Olympia’s newborn while Olympia recovered from surgery.
According to zoo officials, Olympia spent the first night resting after the operation while keepers and veterinary staff provided round-the-clock care for the infant nearby. The following day, Olympia rejoined her troop and was reunited with her son.
Although Olympia showed interest in the newborn, Jamani picked him up and began carrying him alongside her own baby. Zoo staff said Jamani has also nursed Olympia’s infant several times while Olympia remains close.
“We weren’t surprised and knew there was a possibility that Jamani would pick up Olympia’s baby,” said Arden Robert, animal care manager of primates at Woodland Park Zoo.
Robert said keepers are closely monitoring both mothers and babies around the clock to ensure both infants continue nursing and developing normally.
Zoo officials noted that Olympia and Jamani previously lived together at the North Carolina Zoo and successfully raised sons born just weeks apart in 2012.
For now, the zoo plans to allow Jamani to continue helping care for Olympia’s son while Olympia heals from surgery.
“So far Olympia’s baby is doing well and maintaining a healthy body temperature,” Ramirez said. “While Olympia recovers from the C-section, our plan is to allow Jamani to continue caring for Olympia’s son while also caring for her own son as long as both infants remain healthy, which is our priority.”
With the arrival of the two newborns, Woodland Park Zoo is now home to 13 western lowland gorillas living in two family groups. Zoo officials said the new mothers may begin venturing into the outdoor habitat later this week, though visitor access could be limited while staff continue monitoring the troop.
