Moment Baby Gorilla 'Jameela' Is Held by Surrogate Mom for the First Time Is Everything

Baby Jameela went from being a heartbreaking story to one of the most heartwarming things we may ever witness, but it didn't happen overnight. This poor baby has had a rough couple of months, and she's done all she can.

Now, though, it seems to be paying off. On Thursday, April 4th, the zoo she's living in posted an update. It seems like she's found her perfect surrogate mom:

The last time I went to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo was years and years before Jameela was even born, but she's making me want to go back!

Related: Cleveland Zoo Shares Encouraging Update on Gorilla Baby 'Jameela'

Jameela was born on January 5th of this year at Fort Worth Zoo in Texas. She was early and had to be born via c-section since her mother, Sekani, was preeclamptic. Unfortunately, after the birth, Sekani rejected Jameela: there could have been a thousand reasons for that, but it doesn't matter. Jameela needed a mom!

After a few attempts to train females themselves, Fort Worth Zoo had to give in and look for help. They found it with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and more specifically, a gorilla named Fredrika (Freddy) . Freddy is a 50-year-old Western Lowland gorilla who has raised four other infant gorillas as a "surrogate" mom. So far, she seems to be getting along very well with little Jameela, and the two were able to physically meet!

How Long Does it Take Gorillas to Accept Babies?

Sekani showed no maternal instinct toward Jameela, and neither did the other two FWZ had tried to train. Rejection happens very quickly: even before they ever physically meet, the female gorilla can reject the baby. If she's doing so, she'll either show complete disinterest in it or even actual aggression.

However, surrogacy is no walk in the park, either. They knew Freddy would be a great candidate because of previous successful surrogacies, but even so, there's no guarantee she'd have taken in Jameela. Generally, zoos will take a couple of weeks at the very least to be sure it's going to work out. There are several stages:

1. Introduction. At first, Jameela met with Freddy through a barrier to gauge interest.
2. Continued exposure. Gradually, the new baby is moved closer and closer to mom.
3. Physical contact. Freddy and Jameela just physically met for the first time, under heavy supervision!

For now, they're likely going to take it slow even though it's going well. After a few more meetings, they'll introduce her to Freddy for longer periods, and then eventually she'll integrate with the troop. The pair may live together for several years after acceptance - and maybe even the rest of their lives!