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Kindi ’ s Birth Story
In the early morning hours of March 14 , 2016 , Louisville Zoo staffers arrived and discovered Mia in distress . Soon afterward , Zoo veterinarians and a quickly assembled team of specialists anesthetized and examined Mia . An ultrasound exam was conducted and it was determined that the gorilla fetus was alive . In the best interest of Mia and her fetus , the team elected to perform an emergency cesarean section to deliver Kindi three weeks early .
Human healthcare specialists OBGyn ’ s Dr . James W . Forrester and Dr . Robert C . Zoller of Partners in Women ’ s Health went to work with Zoo Veterinarians Drs . Zoli Gyimesi and Julie Ter Beest . At 12:35 p . m ., we saw our first glimpse of the female infant gorilla , immediately tended to by University of Louisville neonatologist Dr . Tonya Robinson .
Staff was enthusiastic about the birth and hopeful about Mia ’ s recovery and the prospect of watching Mia raise Kindi in their family group . The entire staff was deeply saddened by Mia ’ s passing the following morning . Although the official results of Mia ’ s necropsy ( animal autopsy ) are still pending , the healthcare team , including Jefferson County Coroner Dr . Barbara Weakley- Jones , determined that Mia had placenta previa : a condition
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in which the birth canal was blocked by the placenta causing the excessive hemorrhaging . ” Complications from the birth are the reason Mia died ,” said Weakly- Jones . “… Most of the time , in humans at least , the mother and the baby both die if you can ’ t get them to a hospital quickly because the hemorrhage is that great . The Zoo is very , very lucky to have a live baby .” The loss of Mia strengthened the staff ‘ s resolve to help her tiny infant gorilla survive and thrive .
The Important Task for Kindi ’ s Caregivers
Gorilla zoo keepers who form the gorilla care staff ( Kelly Bennett , Jane Anne Franklin , Jill Katka , Richard Laird , Shea Mikel , Alexis Williamson and Michelle Wise ) have stepped up to the very important task of raising Kindi for her first few months while a gorilla surrogate is determined . In the short term , caring for the physical needs of this premature baby gorilla has been paramount ; but equally important is doing so in a way that helps teach her what it means to be a gorilla .
Day-to-Day with Kindi
Once Kindi was ready , she was moved to her behindthe-scenes nursery : a dedicated space in Gorilla Forest devoted to her immediate care and hand rearing . This nursery provides a protected
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environment exposed to the sights , sounds , smells and controlled contact with other gorillas so important to Kindi ’ s future reintegration into a gorilla family via a surrogate mother .
The gorilla care staff alternates round-the-clock shifts with Kindi . Because a gorilla mom goes about her days while the infant grasps onto her , a gorilla baby needs strong hands and arms . To mimic this behavior , staff members also wear a black furry smock reminiscent of mom ’ s coat and encourage Kindi to grasp onto it , as she would have done with her mother .
Keepers also mimic a mother gorilla ’ s behavior in other ways : lying down on the hay with Kindi , vocalizing , and imitating grooming , nest building and foraging . Keepers have already started moving around with Kindi on their backs . You can follow
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Top : Kindi ’ s Footprint .
( Actual Size )
Left page :
Assistant Curator Jill Katka and Kindi
Below : Mother , Mia Moja in 2014
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