In the Midst of Gorillas
from The Cincinnati Enquirer

While the rest of the world is sleeping or watching the late news, what's Arlene Thorwarth doing? Staying up until 2 a.m. watching a pregnant gorilla sleep.

She'll do it this week, and next, and many more after that, and considers every minute of it a privilege.

Thorwarth is waiting for a gorilla birth at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Muke (pronounced MEW-kee), more than 8 months into an 8½-month gestation, is due Aug. 12. It will be the 24-year-old western lowland gorilla's third baby and the first for the father, Jomo, 15, a silverback on loan from Toronto.

He's also the father of the baby gorilla that Samantha, 36, is carrying. The mother of six and grandmother of 11 is due in mid-September.Both of the females spend their days romping around Gorilla World and are constantly being watched.

Thorwarth, 72, of Clifton retired from the pet-sitting business a few years ago. She is one of 50 volunteers who have maintained a 24/7 gorilla watch since late July, observing Muke in the final stages of her pregnancy. Working in four-hour shifts and armed with clipboards, she and fellow volunteers take note of everything they see.