An affectionate gorilla is going viral after a Columbus Zoo visitor captured video of the animal trying to kiss her infant daughter, Noah.
Hannah Pearson held Noah near a window at the Ohio Zoo’s gorilla exhibit when the animal tried to kiss her through the glass.
The gorilla was incredibly calm throughout the entire video and Noah didn’t notice what the animal was trying to do.
However, the younger children couldn’t help but laugh once the gorilla removed his lips from the window.
Pearson’s TikTok video has received nearly four million views since it resurfaced earlier this week.
TikTok user Hannah Pearson captured video of a gorilla trying to kiss her daughter while they were visiting the Columbus Zoo earlier this year.
The gorilla was incredibly calm throughout the re-surfaced video, and Noah was oblivious to what the animal tried to do.
The Columbus Zoo in Powell is famous for its history of gorilla conservation, and was the first zoo in the world to take in a captive baby gorilla.
That particular gorilla was born on December 22, 1956 and was named Colo.
Colo remained at the zoo until he died in his sleep in 2017 at the age of 60, exceeding the life expectancy of a captive gorilla by more than 20 years.
Colo’s last surviving cub, Toni, also lived at the Columbus Zoo and passed away in 2020 due to declining health.
The zoo is now home to several gorilla troops and celebrated the birth of a baby western lowland gorilla on June 29.
“With tiny hands and beautiful big brown eyes that melt our hearts, this baby is absolutely precious, both in terms of the cuteness factor and what the baby represents for the future of this species,” Audra Meinelt, curator of the Columbus Zoo’s Congo Expedition region, said in a press release at the time.
‘We are proud of the dedication of our care teams who work diligently to provide the gorillas with the highest quality care and well-being while continuing the legacy of the Columbus Zoo’s renowned gorilla program.’
The Columbus Zoo in Powell is famous for its history of gorilla conservation, and was the first zoo in the world to take in a captive baby gorilla.
Colo, the first gorilla born in captivity, remained at the Columbus Zoo until she died in her sleep in 2017 at the age of 60.
All of the gorillas at the Columbus Zoo are from the western lowlands and are generally peaceful and shy unless they feel threatened.
The western lowland gorilla population has declined rapidly over the years and they are considered critically endangered.
Two of the biggest factors contributing to the species’ population decline are high levels of disease and hunting, according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Although the exact number of western lowland gorillas alive today is unknown, the total population is believed to be around 100,000, according to the WWF.
Animal enthusiasts wishing to see a western lowland gorilla in a more natural habitat can do so by visiting the forests of the Congo.
All of the gorillas at the Columbus Zoo are from the western lowlands and are generally peaceful and shy unless threatened.
The zoo is home to several gorilla troops and celebrated the birth of a baby western lowland gorilla on June 29.
TikTok users swooned over the gorilla’s love for Noah, with more than one person calling the moment “so sweet.”
“This is beautiful, and so is your baby. She knows she’s a baby. They’re so smart,” wrote one TikTok user.
Another commenter wrote: “Oh my god, if this isn’t beautiful, I don’t know what is.”
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