A gorilla gave birth Friday morning in front of visitors at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.
Moka, a 22-year-old western lowland gorilla, had her third baby while out on exhibit in the gorilla yard.
Brandi Bella-Shaw, 38, of Merrittstown, Fayette County, was one of the first people to notice Moka holding the newborn, an experience she says she'll never forget.
Ms. Bella-Shaw, who was at the zoo with her husband, son and his girlfriend, had just exited the Monkey House when she saw the gorilla moving in her direction.
"As soon as we approached the window, we saw her coming toward us holding the baby," she said. "The umbilical cord was still attached."
She and her husband looked at each other and simultaneously said "She has a little baby!"
Ms. Bella-Shaw pulled out her iPhone and captured several photos of Moka cradling the newborn.
"I just fell immediately in love with the baby," she said.
Ms. Bella-Shaw said she started to worry because it didn't appear at first as though zoo employees realized Moka gave birth. But as the commotion grew around the gorilla viewing area, workers ran over to the area.
Zookeepers eventually called Moka inside her enclosure so the zoo's veterinary team could observe her and the baby.
“Moka is an experienced mother and is doing a great job,” the zoo said in a news release. “She is very attentive and is encouraging her baby to nurse. Keepers will continue to monitor baby and mom through the weekend.”
Because the zoo’s gorillas can either stay inside or go into their yard, there is no guarantee that visitors will see the baby in upcoming days, according to the zoo.
In 2013, Moka gave birth to now 5-year-old Ivan, the zoo said. Moka had another male baby in 2012 that died after four months.
Western lowland gorillas are endangered due to a loss of habitat, poaching and disease, the zoo said.
Ms. Bella-Shaw said she and her family takes one or two trips to the zoo each year, but this one was the most memorable.
"That was the best," she said.
First Published: May 25, 2018, 9:36 p.m.
Updated: May 26, 2018, 1:18 a.m.
