Pittsburgh Zoo's baby gorilla, Frankie, turns one year old, celebrates with party

Happy Birthday, Frankie!

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s baby gorilla Frankie turned one year old on Sunday and celebrated with presents and treats from the zoo staff.

Frankie was born last May to 22-year-old mom Moka while on exhibit. The zoo wanted to give the public the option of celebrating his first birthday since so many people got to witness his birth.

The celebration took place in the gorilla exhibit yard, where zoo staff celebrated Frankie’s milestones, including learning to ride on his mom’s back, moving about on his own, tumbling in the grass and mingling with the rest of the gorilla troop.

Frankie loves to be close to Harry, an adult male gorilla. The pair can often be seen sitting side-by-side in the yard.

The zoo said Frankie also loves his older brother Ivan, although the affection was not reciprocated at first. Ivan was initially not happy to have another baby gorilla in the family. Ivan is now showing more interest in his younger brother and the two like to play and roll around in the grass under the watchful eye of Moka.

Frankie is an ambassador for Western lowland gorillas in the wild. Western lowland gorillas are currently listed as critically endangered.