Watch Zoo's Baby Gorilla, Nayembi, Reunite With Mother After 5 Months

Nearly five months after suffering a tragic facial injury, a baby gorilla at the Lincoln Park Zoo has finally returned to the hands of her mother.

Zoo officials announced Thursday that Nayembi—a female western lowland gorilla and lately, one of the most popular in her troop—is done with her separation by animal care staff. 

Born last November, she and her mother, Rollie, 16, have been living side by side at Regenstein Center for African Apes since Nayembi was injured in February. 

They could see and smell each other but on Wednesday, the two were fully reintroduced under the watchful eyes of zoo staff. 

“This is exactly what we have been working toward, and seeing Nayembi back in Rollie’s arms is incredible,” curator of primates, Maureen Leahy, said in a news release. “Both gorillas seemed to pick up right where they left off with their mother/daughter relationship.” 

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Nayembi has also gained a new playmate. Baby Patty, born slightly more than one month before Nayembi, and her mother Bana, 18, are also living with the newly-reunited pair. 

All four gorillas are currently staying in an area adjacent to the rest of the troop, which includes Kwan, the silverback who is the father of both youngsters. 

“We are fortunate to have two gorilla infants so close in age to one another," Leahy said. "Patty and Nayembi are already interacting and beginning to play together, while both mothers keep a watchful eye on them."

Eventually both mother and baby pairs will be reintroduced to the other three individuals in the troop; in the meantime, Nayembi's around-the-clock care will continue. 

“This is the first step in the very delicate process of full troop reintroduction,” Leahy said. “We are watching closely to make sure Nayembi continues to eat appropriately. We want to make sure she is absolutely comfortable in her new surroundings and will make any adjustments needed to ease this transition.”

The Regenstein Center for African Apes is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. 

But Zoo President Kevin Bell says extra privacy is being given to Nayembi, Rollie, Patty and Bana.

"The four gorillas will remain off public view ... as they adjust to the new group dynamic," he said on Thursday. "Looking forward, the zoo’s animal care experts still hope to reintroduce the whole gorilla family group, including silverback Kwan."

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