First Gorilla C-Section at Zoo | Spokane News

Spokane News Today | 2 Min | The Daily News Now! · Aug 23, 2026 · 2m

In a groundbreaking medical feat, Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo pulled off the first-ever gorilla C-section — saving a baby gorilla named Oku when his mother, Olympia, faced a life-threatening emergency. Human obstetricians teamed up with zoo vets to perform the surgery, navigating unique anatomical challenges and using ultrasound monitoring throughout the pregnancy. While Jamani delivered naturally, Olympia’s situation spiraled when her baby’s heart rate dropped, demanding immediate intervention. The neonatal team revived Oku after anesthesia, and post-birth, the troop’s social bonds took…