This update was written by primate keeper Melba Brown.

It is hard to believe, but on Sunday our western lowland gorilla infant Moke will turn three months old! As I mentioned in our June 22 update, Moke is very much like his mother, Calaya, in personality. In the past few weeks, the primate team has seen his confidence grow exponentially.

His skill level in terms of walking and climbing do not quite match that confidence yet, but he is persistent in trying. His coordination is improving day by day, and it is only a matter of time before he gets his full footing. Calaya will prop a soft bed of hay under him while he walks. If he falls, she does not intervene right away; rather, she will let him figure out how to turn and right himself.