Baby gorilla Zahra now bonding with surrogate mom at Columbus Zoo

COLUMBUS, Ohio (CBS 58) -- The 9-month-old baby gorilla that was transferred recently from the Milwaukee County Zoo to the Columbus Zoo is now bonding with a surrogate mother.

Baby gorilla Zahra was sent away after both her mother and father died from infections linked to E. coli.

According to the Columbus Zoo Zahra is bonding behind-the-scenes with Toni who is an experienced surrogate. 

The Zoo says Toni and Zahra will join the rest of the gorilla gang when they are ready.

#BabyGorilla Update: 9-month-old Zahra from @MilwaukeeCoZoo has been introduced to Toni who is an experienced surrogate! Toni and Zahra are bonding behind the scenes and will rejoin the rest of the troop when they are ready. The Zoo’s animal care team will take cues from them!? pic.twitter.com/tK03PULQ5T

— Columbus Zoo (@ColumbusZoo) June 26, 2018