Two important figures at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Gladys and Samantha (both gorillas), celebrated their birthdays recently—with the help of zoo officials and keepers, of course.
The ladies enjoyed cakes made of fiber biscuits, along with oats, peanut butter, yogurt, raisins, and carrots shaped like candles.
Gladys was turning six, and is one of the facility's most famous residents, since she came to the zoo as an orphan in 2013. She was one month old at the time, and officials needed to find a mother to foster her – a practice the Gorilla Species Survival Plan says is advisable.
Samantha is the matriarch of the Zoo's gorilla family, and was one of the first gorillas born in the facility. Since the Good Samaritan Hospital's team helped take care of her when she was a baby, she is named for the hospital. The zoo said she is a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, as well as being Gladys's great aunt. In order to add to the fun of occasions like this, officials can use banner printing to create decorations for the party.
Although it has been closed to visitors, Gorilla World has reopened so people can see Gladys, Samantha, Jomo, Mlinzi, Elle, and the rest of the gang every day from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. Even better, admission is half-price from now until March 8.