The Western lowland gorilla is the smallest of all the gorilla subspecies. Native to the Congo Basin, they are quiet and non-aggressive, though vulnerable to disease and poaching.
The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington D.C. is home to six western lowland gorillas that reside at the facility’s “Great Ape House”: Baraka, Mandara, Calaya, Kibibi, Kojo, and Moke.
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Kabibi and Kojo are the offspring of “Super Mom” Mandara, who was born at the Lincoln Park Zoo in 1982 and came to the Smithsonian in 1985 – it was there that she raised Baraka as her own as well.
Little Moke is the baby of the bunch. He was born to Calaya – who has been part of the Smithsonian’s breeding program since February 2015 – and Baraka, the 400-pound silverback born in 1992 that rules the roost.
When Calaya gave birth to Moke on April 15, 2018, a video of the pair went viral for the sweet moments of bonding witnessed between mother and newborn.
It was also a cause for celebration since their species is critically endangered.
He was the first gorilla to be born at the zoo in 9 years.
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According to the Zoo,
“In 2007, IUCN’s status for western gorillas was changed from endangered to critically endangered. This change occurred when it was discovered that one of two subspecies, the western lowland gorilla, had been devastated by the commercial bushmeat trade, the Ebola virus and the spread of logging, which alters forest structure and facilitates poaching.”
The video shows a sweet scene between mother and child as Calaya gazes at her newborn, admiring him as she holds him in her hands.
She even gives him a sweet kiss on the forehead – the same thing a human mother would do!
She’s in love!
The sweet snuggle mom gives him followed by a hug to hold Moke closer to her are sure to melt your heart.
And you can finally see the little tyke as she gently lays him down on the ground, hand cradled around his head to keep it safe.
It’s like she can’t believe she made such a gorgeous creature.
Moke has had a pretty charmed life since his birth.
He plays with both mom and dad and his BFF Kibibi – at least when he’s not out stirring things up.
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The group still keeps a very close eye on him though since he’s still a baby. Even Moke’s name means “junior” or “little one” in the Lingala language.
Check out Moke today at 2 years old!
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The whole gang has been watched closely since even before Moke was born since his livelihood is important to the zoo and for the species. Zookeepers worked closely with Calaya to be sure she was ready for motherhood – and she’s been a model parent as a result.
But the zoo was ready for anything, even preparing Mandara to act as a foster mother in case Calaya wasn’t able to bond with her infant.
Clearly, things worked out for the best.
Be sure to scroll down below to see the sweet video and visit the Smithsonian’s website for more stories about the gorillas as well as their Instagram page for some breathtaking photos of all of the animals.
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