Premature births are also an animal thing. The latest case was that of Jameela, a small baby gorilla born four to six weeks early by emergency cesarean section at the Fort Worth Zoo (USA). It is the third primate that arrives at the center in these conditions and that has required an incubator or assisted breathing, among many other cares.
Jameela arrived early because her mother, Sekani, was showing signs of preeclampsia, a serious blood pressure condition that can occur during pregnancy in both humans and primates. Which forced a quick intervention by specialists, as explained by the zoo in several publications on its social networks.
“Zoo staff and veterinarians consulted with human medicine specialists and agreed that an emergency cesarean section would have to take place to save Sekani and give her unborn baby the best chance of survival,” they note in a post on Instagram.
Jameela weighed just under a kilo and a half. However, in a matter of days, with bottles of milk, he has gained more than a kilo. “It is growing rapidly due to the incredible care provided by our dedicated caretakers and staff. In fact, more than forty Fort Worth Zoo employees have committed themselves to its care,” they celebrate from the center.
Sekani has also made a full recovery, although she has also needed special care, which has forced more staff to be assigned to care for this mother gorilla.
The zoo’s specialists have been maintaining close collaboration with a local obstetrician and neonatologist. Specifically, with Dr. Jamie Walker Erwin, who helped with this process that ended up saving the little gorilla’s life.
Your support has been essential for the premature birth to be a success. And that collaboration also explains, in part, the name chosen for the primate: “We have affectionately named the baby Jameela, which means ‘beautiful’ in Swahili, but it has an extra special meaning as it is also a nod to the wonderful doctor Jamie Erwin “.
