Join the Festivities as Gaia the Gorilla Marks Her First Year at Prague Zoo

Zoo Prague is excited to celebrate the first birthday of the second-born gorilla, Gaia, on Saturday, April 12. Gaia is becoming more self-assured as she learns to walk on the ground and climb ropes and structures in her environment. When she’s not napping or resting on her mother Kijiva’s back, she enjoys playing with her sister Mobi. Unlike her older sister Mobi, who is a bit more cautious and tends to stay close to their mother, Gaia has a playful spirit that makes her seem like a little angel to the caregivers, while Mobi takes on a more devilish role. They often engage in wrestling matches, laughing joyfully with their mouths wide open, showcasing all their adorable teeth.

The differences between the two cubs are quite noticeable. Mobi, being a little over three months older, is larger, and their mother, Duni, maintains her unique “hairstyle” by regularly pulling at her own hair. However, this time with Kijiva, she has chosen not to style Gaia’s hair in any way. In the beginning, Gaia quickly caught up to her sister in terms of growth and developmental milestones, but recently, she has displayed a gentler demeanor and a sense of calmness that makes her stand out even among her earlier peers. Besides bonding with her mother and sister, Gaia has a sweet relationship with her father Kisum, who enjoys playful interactions with both cubs. Also, the elder member of the group, Kambou, is glad to receive the attention of Gaia and Mobi. But unlike Mobi, Gaia hasn’t yet shown much interest in playing with the other gorillas in their home group.

Gorilla family eagerly awaits your visit at the Dja Reservation

Although Gaia will continue to be breastfed until she reaches around three years of age, she is already excited to sample different types of food just like an adult. She enjoys eating sweet vegetables like peppers, tomatoes, and carrots with great enthusiasm. However, she is still a bit hesitant to accept food directly from the caregivers and sometimes even dozes off during feeding times. As she matures, her eating habits will gradually evolve, allowing her to adapt to the daily routine of the entire gorilla family.

Zoo Prague warmly invites guests to join the celebration of Gaia’s first birthday at the Dja Reservation Pavilion. From 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., there will be hour-long guided encounters with the gorillas, and at 3:00 p.m., gorilla caretakers will prepare a special enrichment session for the cubs. Young visitors in the African Classroom will also have the chance to create birthday cards for Gaia and participate in fun educational games focused on gorilla conservation in Central Africa. Generally, the best times to observe the lowland gorillas are during their feeding periods around 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.. On sunny days, the gorillas can also be seen in their outdoor habitat.