Zoo officials call it a visual introduction. They say it's the first of many steps to physically re-introduce the baby to the troop of gorillas. One of the gorillas was the newborns 18-year-old mother, Imani.
This is the first time the baby has left the veterinary hospital and has had visual contact with her own species.
"This is the first time that the troop has seen the baby," said Matt Gelvin with the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. "So we're proceeding slowly with visual introductions, so as a group they can see the baby for the first time."
Keepers are remaining close to the baby and providing constant care.
The gorillas can go peek at the youngster any time through the protective barrier.
The gorilla was born March 12 by cesarean section at the zoo's Safari Park. Veterinarians were joined by neonatal specialists from University of California San Diego Medical Center.
She underwent surgery for a collapsed lung. It's unclear whether she contracted pneumonia before or after birth.
The baby was the 17th gorilla born at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which is home to eight gorillas, including the new baby.
