Gorilla mothers are among the most devoted and attentive caregivers in the animal kingdom. Moka and Ibo, the Pittsburgh Zoo’s two western lowland gorillas are no exception. Both females gave birth to babies within months of each other in 2023 and have different styles of mothering.

From the moment a baby gorilla is born, its mother becomes its entire world. She cradles the newborn carefully, holding it close to her chest for warmth, comfort, and protection. During the first months of life, the infant rarely leaves her body. She carries it almost constantly, whether she is moving through dense vegetation or feeding.

This constant closeness creates a powerful emotional bond. The infant learns to recognize its mother’s scent, voice, and movements, while the mother remains highly responsive to every small signal from her baby. If the infant cries or shows signs of discomfort, she reacts immediately.

It can be difficult to tell the Zoo’s two breastfeeding female gorillas apart. Our 34-year-old Ibo has gray sideburns that her keepers refer to as “mutton chops.” She has a longer, stretched-out face with a wide nose and softer features. Ibo was hand-raised and interacts with her keepers more. Ibo’s mothering style is more “hands off,” but she is protective of her daughter, three-year-old Charlotte. Ibo will often whisk Charlotte away when the gorilla boys are getting too rough. Ibo is also more cerebral, intelligent, and enjoys any kind of puzzle feeder. Charlotte is a brownish red and gets her soft features from her mom. Charlotte likes to climb and play alone, off on her own. She often walks bipedally and builds her nest exactly like her mom.

The Zoo’s other mother gorilla, 29-year-old Moka is more dominant with a stern face. Her personality is more in line with her harsher appearance. Moka is more independent and not very big on interaction. She spends a lot of time on her own and is mostly interested in behavioral enrichment when food is involved. Moka is mom to both three-year-old Bo and eight-year-old Frankie and had more of a helicopter style of mothering when they were infants, keeping a close watch on her brood.

Gorillas, like all mothers, share the core elements of strong parenting through protection, sacrifice, and dedication. Their combination of constant physical care and strong emotional bonds prepare their offspring to navigate life’s many challenges. The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium wishes mothers everywhere the happiest Mother’s Day. Zoo admission is free to all mothers accompanied by a child on Sunday, May 10.