'Gladys' thrives with human 'mums'

"Gladys" is in good health, developing and growing quickly with loving care from 10 humans imitating a gorilla moms behavior. Picture: The Cincinnati Enquirer, Glenn Hartong Source: AP

A BABY gorilla being raised by fur-clad and grunting Zoo keepers is "thriving" under the attention.

Cincinnati Zoo staff say baby "Gladys" has learnt how to roll over and sit up. She is now progressing to balancing on all fours in preparation for taking her first steps.

The baby gorilla was born on January 29 at Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas. She was transferred shortly after to the Cincinnati Zoo which has a gorilla community and specialist primate staff.

Gladys' first-time mother had shown little interest in raising her offspring, forcing the desperate move to save the newborn's life.

"Whatever a gorilla mum would do with her baby is what we have to do with this baby," said Ron Evans, the zoo's primate team leader and one of Gladys's human surrogates. "Everything that we can do ... obviously, I'm not producing milk."

The team operates in eight-hour shifts, wearing knee-pads, gloves and a fur-lined jacket. Once inside the gorilla enclosure, the staff grunt gorilla sounds and shuffle about.

ABC News correspondent Matt Guttman, left, and Primate Team Leader Ron Evans, center, watch as Primate Keeper Ashley O'Connell carries Gladys, a 2 month-old Western Lowland Gorilla on her back. Picture: The Cincinnati Enquirer, Glenn Hartong

It's a 24-hour job.

It is hoped Glady's will be able to move in with two mature female gorillas in an adjoining enclosure.

She has already been introduced to the other gorillas and allowed to touch them from behind the safety of bars.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports she is expected to move in with her new family within two months.

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Primate Team Leader Ron Evans works on paperwork as "Gladys", a Western Lowland Gorill,a sleeps on his back. Picture: The Cincinnati Enquirer, Glenn Hartong

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