Search for a foster mother takes Seattle baby gorilla to Louisville zoo

The 2-month-old baby gorilla that was rejected by his mother at Woodland Park Zoo could be in his new mother's arms soon.

What's happening: Abeo arrived at Louisville Zoo in Kentucky last month after his birth mother ignored him and efforts to find a foster mother at the Seattle zoo were unsuccessful.

• 40-year-old Kweli, an experienced foster parent, has been sitting at Abeo's door every day, seemingly waiting for the baby gorilla to be handed over, according to a video posted on the Louisville Zoo's website this week.
• Rachel Vass, an interim animal care manager at Woodland Park Zoo who traveled with Abeo to Louisville, told Axios that Kweli grunts and moves closer to Abeo when he makes noises.
• The Louisville zoo is still getting Abeo ready for the transition, general curator Ben Evans said, switching to a soy formula that keeps the young gorilla fuller and teaching him how to hold onto fur so he can hitch a ride on a back or cling to a neck.

Why it matters: It's important for Abeo's long-term well-being to be raised by gorillas, not humans, Woodland Park Zoo's animal curator Martin Ramirez told Axios.

Fun fact: Abeo, which means "bringer of happiness," will live in a family group with Kweli, Kindi, a 42-year-old adult male silverback, and two other adult females, per the Louisville zoo.

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