SEATTLE — Vip, an 18-year-old male gorilla, has adjusted well at Woodland Park Zoo since his arrival from Boston last October. So well, that early next year, Vip will be a first-time father to not one, but two very important primates. The silverback’s mates, 12-year-old Jumoke (juh-MOH-keh) and 27-year-old Amanda, are due to give birth the first week of January and in mid-March, respectively.

"We’re extremely pleased that this gorilla group has integrated well and is visibly content," stated gorilla keeper Violet Sunde. "We were hoping that their successful integration would lead to another gorilla family at the zoo." Zoo animal management staff are continuing a close watch on Amanda, who is still in her first trimester of pregnancy. The gestation period for gorillas is 250 to 270 days, about the same as humans.

Last year, Jumoke gave birth to her first offspring, Nadiri (NAW-dee-ree), the sixth successful lowland gorilla birth at the zoo. "While captive western lowland gorillas have been breeding successfully for the last three decades, we’ll keep a guarded watch over our expectant mothers," added Sunde. Gorillas are very sensitive animals, and therefore, each impending birth is approached cautiously. "We won’t be handing out cigars just yet."

Vip, who was captive-born in the Netherlands, has very important genes to contribute to the Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP). Namely, he has only one relative in North America, his 33-year-old mother. Amanda, who does not have any offspring, also has particularly valuable genes because she’s a "founder" animal, meaning she was wild-born. Founder animals have no other known relatives in the captive population, other than their offspring.

SSPs are cooperative breeding programs among North American zoos to manage and expand the captive populations of endangered species, while ensuring genetic diversity and demographic stability.

Vip, Amanda and Jumoke are currently on public view in a temporary exhibit. The group was housed in this small enclosure to facilitate introductions; renovations are also being made in their permanent, naturalistic habitat. The three gorillas should move to their habitat in the Tropical Rain Forest sometime in late fall. Because the gorillas are given indoor access, viewing can be limited.