Salome, a western lowland gorilla, becomes the first gorilla to receive a fertility treatment typically used for women. Keepers at Bristol Zoo Gardens discovered that Salome, who is 30 years old, was not able to conceive with her partner Jock despite regular mating, indicating that she may not be ovulating.
To address this, the keepers discreetly added a medication called Clomid to Salome’s food, which encourages the release of eggs from the ovaries. Shortly after, Jock successfully fulfilled his duty, resulting in the birth of their baby on December 15.
The keepers have refrained from studying the baby directly to maintain mother-baby bonding and to avoid upsetting Jock. As a result, the baby’s gender remains unknown, and no name has been chosen yet. Salome had her first baby at Chessington Zoo in April 1988 before moving to Bristol seven years ago.
The new arrival has brought joy to the zoo keepers and is a significant contribution to international breeding programs aimed at preserving western lowland gorillas. In the wild, these gorillas are facing alarming population declines, with numbers as few as 110,000.
Dr. Jo Gipps, director of Bristol Zoo Gardens, emphasizes the importance of captive breeding programs in safeguarding this species. The western lowland gorillas are threatened by factors such as deforestation, disease outbreaks like Ebola, and the illegal hunting of primates for bushmeat.
Salome’s baby offers hope for the future conservation of these magnificent creatures.
SOURCE:DAILYMAIL
