Govind Tekale
A baby gorilla has joined the family at Mogo Wildlife Park on NSW’s south coast, marking a significant moment for the growing gorilla troop. The birth in early February 2025 brought relief to the park’s staff, especially after the challenging arrival of the baby’s older brother Kaius in 2022.
Mogo Wildlife Park zookeeper Chad Staples watched the birth through video cameras. “It was nerve-wracking given everything that happened last time,” Staples said. The careful monitoring stems from the park’s experience with Kaius, who needed emergency medical care at birth.
Two years ago, Kaius developed sepsis pneumonia hours after being born. His condition required immediate help from vets and neonatal caregivers. Staples took on the role of surrogate parent, keeping Kaius in his bedroom for 11 months before bringing him back to the gorilla family.
This time, mother Kipenzi handled the birth naturally. “I am excited because I really want Kipenzi to have that opportunity to be the mum she really wanted to be with Kaius,” Staples explained. The father, Kisane, has adapted to his protective role, while grandmother Kriba maintains a watchful presence.
The gorilla family now includes six members. “The very curious interactions between Kaius and his sibling are gorgeous to see,” Staples observed. “You can’t explain it – the very special moments are when we see Kaius with his grandmother, sitting with his mum and new sibling.”
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The park hasn’t determined if the baby is male or female yet, as Kipenzi keeps her newborn close – a natural protective behavior Staples has noted. “We always like to see a little peek into what a personality might be and then come up with a name that way,” Staples explained about their naming process. “But first we need to know a gender.”
The baby will stay with its mother for the first six months, Staples confirmed, following typical development patterns for infant gorillas in their care. “Dad now knows that his job is to oversee the whole family and leave Mum to do what mums do,” he added.
Visitors can now see the gorilla family at Mogo Wildlife Park. The troop made their public debut on February 18, 2025, with mother and baby staying in the back of their cave enclosure. “I had full confidence that everyone being a couple of years older, they would just fall into their roles this time,” Staples said.
For Staples, this smooth birth brings special satisfaction after his experience hand-raising Kaius. “The experience with Kaius is something I wouldn’t change for anything,” he reflected. “It was the most amazing experience I’ve had, but it was full-on.”
“I am happy to pass the role of parent back to the gorillas,” Staples said, highlighting how this natural birth process allows the western lowland gorilla family to develop their bonds without human intervention. The successful delivery marks a positive development for Mogo Wildlife Park’s gorilla program, demonstrating progress in their care practices since Kaius’s challenging arrival in 2022.
