Motema is the first gorilla ever born at the Detroit Zoo, making her birth on August 8, 2024, a historic milestone in the zoo’s 96-year history. She is a female western lowland gorilla, born to Bandia, a first-time mother aged 26 at the time of Motema’s birth. At birth, Motema weighed 4–5 pounds.
Her name, “Motema,” means “heart” in the Lingala language and was chosen through a public naming contest, with votes raising funds for gorilla conservation efforts. Donations from the contest supported the Gorilla SAFE program, helping protect wild gorilla populations. Motema has thrived under the care of Bandia and is often seen bonding closely with her mother, as baby gorillas typically stay in their mother’s arms for the first 3–4 months. Her birthday is celebrated annually at the Detroit Zoo, with events aimed at supporting conservation and educating visitors about gorilla protection.
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