Video: Lincoln Park Zoo's Baby Gorilla Eats Broccoli, Does Other Cute Things

By Samantha Abernethy in Arts & Entertainment on May 9, 2013 9:30PM

Lincoln Park Zoo's baby gorilla Nayembi suffered a painful injury to her face earlier this year, and now zookeepers say, "She is a healthy weight, is experimenting with solid foods, and is acting just like a gorilla baby should."

The zoo says the zookeepers have been acting like ape-ing it up to keep Nayembi feeling like the western lowland gorilla that she is.

Speaking of acting, Lincoln Park Zoo’s animal care staff has done their fair share of it. Staffers have assumed the role of fellow gorilla group mates in order to set six-month-old Nayembi up for success when she is ultimately placed back with her troop. That includes donning a furry vest for the baby to cling to, grumbling like an ape, and even climbing around the gorilla enclosure with Nayembi along for the ride.

“Gorilla infants are not human babies, and we can’t treat them as such,” said Director of the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes Steve Ross. “It is important to us that people understand these are wild, endangered animals, and that is why Lincoln Park Zoo has decided not to show behind-the-scenes images of Nayembi with keepers.”

So unfortunately you won't see the 'keepers in the video below. What you will see, though, is Nayembi eating broccoli and doing other adorable things.

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Lincoln Park Zoo's Baby Gorilla Recovering From Facial Injury
Lincoln Park Zoo's Baby Gorilla Thrives After Facial Injury