Goma is the first gorilla ever born in a Eurpopean zoo who last Tuesday turned 50 years old.
Unlike zoo born gorillas today, Goma spent the first years of her life almost entirely with zoo staff. While this made her exceptionally close with humans, it made it difficult for her to enter gorilla society and it took many years for her to find her place with her fellow great apes. Today as a result of gorillas like Goma, zoos go to great lengths to ensure that their animals are comfortable with their own kind.
Love the photo when Goma looks at the Teddybear =)