Full Breakdown
Rare C-Section Delivers Baby Gorilla at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo
5/28/2026, 11:47:40 PM
Emergency C-Section Details
On May 24, 2026 at 1:44 p.m. PDT, 29-year-old western lowland gorilla Olympia underwent an emergency cesarean section at Woodland Park Zoo after an ultrasound by Dr. Sachita Shah (Butterfly Network) showed low amniotic fluid and an incompletely dilated cervix. A surgical team led by Dr. Tim Storms, assisted by volunteers from Swedish Medical Center, used Butterfly’s handheld probe (size of an electric shaver) for real-time imaging. The 5.4-pound male infant and his mother were reported healthy, though staff noted the situation remained fluid.
Timeline
- May 18: Troopmate Jamani gave birth to a son.
- May 19: Ultrasound revealed complications for Olympia.
- May 24: C-section delivered a 5.4-lb male.
- May 25: Mother and infant rejoined the troop, with Jamani assisting.
Conservation Significance
The birth adds to the limited reproductive output of a critically endangered species; fewer than a dozen gorilla C-sections have been recorded worldwide, and this was the first at Woodland Park Zoo, which houses 13 western lowland gorillas. The 5.4-lb infant is about one pound heavier than the species’ average newborn, underscoring the importance of successful breeding for conservation.
Official Statements & Responses
Dr. Tim Storms said low amniotic fluid and an incompletely dilated cervix indicated non-productive labor, requiring a C-section. Curator Martin Ramirez praised the teamwork of human doctors, zoo veterinarians and caretakers for the healthy outcome. Zoo officials called the post-operative condition stable but fluid.
On-the-Ground Observations
After surgery, Jamani temporarily cared for Olympia’s newborn, carrying both infants for bottle-feeding training while Olympia recovered. Staff reported normal body temperature and behavior for mother and baby.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We had a highly skilled and compassionate volunteer obstetrical team that joined our veterinary team to perform the surgery and deliver a healthy baby boy,” said Storms.” — Dr. Tim Storms, Director of Animal Health, Woodland Park Zoo
- “Thanks to the teamwork of the human doctors, veterinarians, and gorilla care team, Olympia and her baby are in good health and doing well,” — Martin Ramirez, Curator of Mammalogy, Woodland Park Zoo
- “Over the weekend, the decision to proceed with emergency delivery was due to low fluid and intermittent low baby heart rate (found by us with the Butterfly) and critical behavioral information from the keepers team that suggested delayed/paused labor, with confirmation of ruptured membranes (bag of water) by the Team Gorilla OB physicians,” — Dr. Sachita Shah, Emergency Physician, Butterfly Network
What’s Next
Zoo staff will maintain 24-hour monitoring of Olympia and her infant, plan to reunite mother and child when recovery allows, and continue using handheld ultrasound for future gorilla pregnancies.
