Four-day-old gorilla baby killed by its own father at Basel Zoo

Second companion also killed

Basel Zoo emphasized that the behavior of a male gorilla killing its own offspring is described in the scientific literature as "a behavior that is not unusual." Gorillas are complex social animals, among whom such aggression can occur within groups.

Mother continues to carry the dead infant

Joas is still carrying the dead infant with her and moves about with it both in the indoor and outdoor enclosure. According to zoo spokesperson Stefan Leimer, it is a well-known behavior among gorillas that mothers carry their dead babies with them for days or even weeks.

According to its own statements, Basel Zoo does not intend to intervene in this natural behavior of the mother. The animals should be allowed to process the loss at their own pace, the zoo said.

Stefan Leimer explained that the ape house remained open to visitors during and after the incident. The aim was to subject the animals to as little additional stress as possible through sudden closures.

Background: Handling deadly aggression among gorillas

Zoological institutions worldwide have been discussing for years how zoos should handle similar incidents. Some facilities have in the past temporarily separated mothers from the group after the loss of an infant, while others allowed the natural process to take its course. With its decision against intervention, Basel Zoo is following the second approach.

At the same time, the incident raises questions about the management of gorilla groups in human care. In the view of animal experts, the simultaneous occurrence of two serious aggression incidents involving the same animal within a single day points to an unstable group dynamic that is now likely to be observed more closely.

As of editorial deadline, it remained unclear when exactly and in what form Basel Zoo would take further measures, such as a temporary separation of Yeba from the group or more in-depth veterinary medical assessments.