Zoo Atlanta has announced the birth of a male infant gorilla and named him Willie B., III, after his father and grandfather. This is the second offspring of the mother, Shalia, with the first being at another zoological organization. Guests can look for the 2-week-old in Gorilla Habitat 4 in the Zoo’s Ford African Rain Forest. The arrival of Willie B., III, is especially significant as May 13 marks the 35th anniversary of Willie B.’s entry into the Ford African Rain Forest. The Zoo plans to celebrate “Willie B. Day” later this summer. Zoo Atlanta has one of North America’s largest populations of western lowland gorillas, and its program for their care and behavioral study is globally recognized. However, wild western lowland gorilla populations have declined by 60% over 25 years due to various threats. Zoo Atlanta supports the AZA’s Gorilla SAFE Program and The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International for gorilla conservation.
