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Affectionate gorilla tries to kiss baby through glass at Columbus Zoo in Ohio
An affectionate gorilla is going viral after a Columbus Zoo visitor caught a video of it trying to kiss her baby daughter, Noah.
Hannah Pearson held Noah near a window in the Ohio zoo's gorilla exhibit when the animal attempted to kiss her through the glass.
The gorilla was incredibly calm throughout the video, and Noah didn't notice what the animal tried to do.
However, younger children couldn't help but laugh once the gorilla took its lips off the window.
Pearson's TikTok video has received nearly four million views since it resurfaced earlier this week.
TikTok user Hannah Pearson captured a 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 resurfaced video, and Noah didn't notice what the animal tried to do
The Columbus Zoo in Powell is famous for its history in gorilla conservation, and it was the first zoo in the world to welcome a baby gorilla in captivity.
That particular gorilla was born on December 22, 1956, and it was named Colo.
Colo remained at the zoo until she died in her sleep in 2017 at the age of 60, outliving the life expectancy of a captive gorilla by over 20 years.
The last surviving offspring of Colo, Toni, also lived its life at the Columbus Zoo and passed away in 2020 due to declining health.
Today, the zoo is home to multiple gorilla troops, and on June 29, it celebrated the birth of a baby western lowland gorilla.
'With tiny hands and beautiful big brown eyes that melt our hearts, this baby is absolutely precious—in regard to both the cuteness factor and what the baby represents for this species’ future,' said Audra Meinelt, curator of the Columbus Zoo’s Congo Expedition region in a news release at the time.
'We are proud of the dedication of our care teams who diligently work to provide the gorillas with top quality care and wellbeing while continuing the legacy of the Columbus Zoo’s renowned gorilla program.'
The Columbus Zoo in Powell is famous for its history in gorilla conservation, and it was the first zoo in the world to welcome a baby gorilla in captivity
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 gorillas at the Columbus Zoo are Western Lowland, and they are usually peaceful and shy unless feeling threatened.
The population of Western Lowland gorillas has rapidly declined over the years, and they are labeled critically endangered.
Two of the most significant factors that contribute to the species' population decrease are high levels of disease and hunting, according to Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.
Although the exact number of living Western Lowland gorillas is unclear, the total population is thought to be around 100,000, according to the WWF.
Animal enthusiasts who hope to see a Western Lowland gorilla in a more natural habitat can do so by visiting the forests of Congo.
All gorillas at the Columbus Zoo are Western Lowland, and they are usually peaceful and shy unless feeling threatened
The zoo is home to multiple gorilla troops, and on June 29, it celebrated the birth of a baby western lowland gorilla
TikTok users swooned over the gorilla's love for Noah, and more than one person called the moment 'so sweet.'
'This is beautiful, and your baby is as well. She knows that's a baby. They're just so smart,' a TikToker wrote.
Another commenter wrote: 'Oh my gosh, if this isn’t precious, I don’t know what is.'