A male gorilla was born at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Friday, November 18, 2005, at 1:44 p.m. The baby was delivered via Caesarian after the mother, Kishina, age 33, was noted experiencing difficulties over several days. The mother's medical condition and concern for the baby's health during an ultrasound examination determined the merits of the operation. The baby is being cared for by Busch Gardens' veterinary and animal care staff until reintroduction can be made. Assisting Busch Gardens with the birth were medical professionals from the University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital.

It is the first gorilla birth at the Tampa adventure park in its 46-year history. The birth brings to seven the number of gorillas in the park's Myombe Reserve habitat, a 3-acre rainforest environment opened in 1992.

The father is Cenzoo, age 9, a western lowland gorilla transferred along with his father, Koundu, age 29, from the Denver Zoo in March 2003.  The transfer was part of the internationally recognized Species Survival Plan (SSP) initiated by the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The SSP is a cooperative population management program designed to maintain the genetic diversity of endangered species.

In the wild, gorillas can be found in tropical forests, swamp forests, clearing and forest edges in the African countries of Cameron, Peoples Republic of Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic and Equatorial Guinea. When fully mature, males can exceed 400 pounds, and females up to 225 pounds. The gorilla is often mischaracterized as ferocious given its intimidating appearance and strength. In truth, they tend to be shy and retiring. The greatest threats posed to gorillas in the wild are humans due to habitat degradation, poaching, disease transmission, and civil wars.