Endangered Gorilla Born at Smithsonian National Zoo Moke, a male western lowland gorilla, was born at the zoo on Sunday. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, western lowland gorillas are endangered as a result of poaching and disease. This is the first time in nine years that the National Zoo has had a western lowland male baby. According to Reuters, The Great Ape House at the zoo will remain closed while Moke bonds with his mother, Calaya.