Como Zoo welcomes new baby gorilla

A baby gorilla named Arlene is the latest addition to the Como Zoo's growing family of animals, officials announced Monday.

The female western lowland gorilla was born February 22 to Dara, a first-time mother, in the day room at the zoo's Gorilla Forest exhibit.

Arlene weighed five pounds at birth and "appears healthy and strong," according to a news release from the zoo.

To give baby and mother enough time to bond properly, zoo officials said that Arlene probably won't make her public debut until later this month.

The baby gorilla was named for Arlene Scheunemann, who cared for more than 200 wild animals in her home before Como had the facilities to care for infant animals.

For her work, Scheunemann won the nickname of Como's "Zoo Mom."

Last fall saw Como's first gorilla birth in the 55 years that the zoo has housed the large primates. However, that newborn died due to difficulty with feeding.

Both newborn gorillas were fathered by Schroeder, a 29-year-old silverback.