Gorilla Walking Upright At The Zoo Goes Viral

This short, 30-second video of Mija, the Gorilla, walking upright at her home zoo went viral and earned a lot of chuckles and a long list of comments by viewers!

Ironically, Mija (short for Mijadala) means “discussions” in Swahili. Born in September 2016, Mija’s caregivers found her to be the most vocal gorilla infant ever born at their facility. So, Zoo Atlanta gave her the name, and, at almost six years old, she continues to get attention! 

As the video begins, we see Mija get up from the ground where she sits behind and to the left of the tree in the middle of the “yard.” Her first few steps seem typical, her right hand touching the ground as she gets us and begins her walkabout. But, as she comes from behind the tree, moves to the right, and begins to strut around the perimeter of the fenced area, she is upright and walking on only her two legs!

Mija is hustling! Her right arm swings back and forth, and she holds something with her left hand. She looks like a girl on a mission! 

We’ve heard the expression “Monkey See, Monkey Do,” which refers to copying or mimicking behavior without any reason or understanding. The expression originated in Jamaica in the early 18th century, and landed here in the U.S. in the 1920’s. One wonders who Mija has been watching, because she certainly demonstrates personality with her lap around the pen. 

In the middle of the enclosure, a cute, little guy twirls around; he looks like he’s been watching Dancing with the Stars! Meanwhile, six other adult gorillas appear to be much more interested in their hands than the fact that Mija is relying only on her feet!   

It’s such fun to watch God’s creatures doing the funny, incredible, and sometimes frightening things they do. With more than 355 zoos in the United States, there is one close to most families. What a great way to enjoy time with family and friends. But, keep in mind, there’s only one Mija, and she’s in Atlanta!   

“So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:21