Como Zoo Welcomes Baby Gorilla, Arlene

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – Como Zoo in St. Paul announced Monday it is welcoming the addition of a new baby western lowland gorilla.

The female gorilla was born in the evening of Feb. 22, inside the day room at the Gorilla Forest exhibit, to first-time mother Dara. The baby gorilla was named "Arlene" in honor of the late Arlene Scheunemann, a volunteer who helped establish the docent program and was a board member of the zoo's nonprofit.

Starting in 1968 and going over 48 years, she was the foster mom to more than 200 animals in her home.

Zoo officials gave the baby gorilla a physical, including giving her fluids, shortly after her birth. Officials said the baby and her mother will likely debut sometime in March.