The San Diego Zoo Safari Park's baby gorilla that was born in a rare emergency C-section is now learning to crawl, sit and eat by herself, according to ABC7.
Baby Joanne is now five months old and is still often seen on her mother Imani's back, but has been growing more and more independent. She has even been imitating her mom and trying out different fruits and vegetables with the use of her eight teeth.
"We've seen Joanne crawl away from Imani a little bit while she's sitting on exhibit. Imani always keeps her eye on her but Joanne is testing out her independence and seeing how far she can get," said Jami Pawlowski, a keeper at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Joanne currently lives with seven other gorillas, including 3-year-old Monroe and 6-year-old Frank.
Joanne is quite the miracle baby at the San Diego Zoo.
The baby gorilla was born on March 12 via rare emergency C-Section and after just two days, she suffered a collapsed lung and had to undergo treatment, according to NBC San Diego.
Joanne received around-the-clock care until she made a full recovery.
The little gorilla, who is named in honor of Joanne Warren, the first chairwoman of the Foundation of San Diego Zoo Global, was Imani's first baby and the 17th gorilla to be born at the Safari Park.
