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[Carrie McLaren <stay.free AT verizon.net>]

Gorilla Twins' Mom Adopts Newborn
http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=71816

The late Willie B.'s first grandchild has been adopted by his 
grandmother at Zoo Atlanta, officials announced Friday. Kuchi, who 
gave birth to rare twins Oct. 31, will now serve as a surrogate for 
her daughter's newborn as well.

Lulu, Willie B. and Kuchi's daughter, gave birth to a newborn on Nov. 
7. A short time later, Kuchi broke free from her own newborn twins 
and nabbed her grandson. She was drugged so that the newborn boy 
could be safely returned to Lulu.

Since that time, Kuchi has taken over the mothering duties of her 
grandson while still nursing her own newborn boy and girl. Zoo 
Atlanta officials opted not to return the grandson to Lulu, who gave 
birth on Monday.

Lulu, a 6-year-old female western lowland gorilla, was born to Willie 
B. before his death. Zoo officials said they were pleasantly 
surprised at the birth. During a routine exam in May, a pregnancy 
test given to her turned up negative. In October, when Lulu started 
to exhibit signs of pregnancy, a second test was administered and 
gave positive results.

"Just as in humans, sometimes pregnancy tests can produce false 
negatives. The baby is healthy and a normal size and we will be 
monitoring its progress closely," said Dr. Maria Crane, Zoo Atlanta 
vice president of veterinary services.

With 23 western lowlands, Zoo Atlanta has the second-largest gorilla 
collection in North America. That number is growing as Willie B.'s 
first offspring, Kudzoo, is expected to give birth in early January.