and the algorithm that brought them true love.

(upbeat music)

(piano music)

The boy, Baraka, from Washington D.C.

is gentle, laid back and attentive.

The girl, Calaya, from Seattle

is assertive, creative and persistent.

While their initial encounter was love at first sight,

this match was no accident.

The union of Baraka and Calaya

was planned in exacting detail.

Baraka and Calaya are a perfect match.

Our algorithm predicted it.

The Gorilla Species Survival Plan is responsible

for managing the demographic, genetic,

and overall population features

of the gorillas living in North American Zoos.

One could say we function like a high-tech,

heartfelt dating site for gorillas

but without all the swiping.

The algorithm we use, was created in the late '80s,

which is several years before it's human counterpart.

We used data points on genetics and relatedness

and combined that with what we know

about gorilla personality and individual needs.

We combine all that information

to make the best decisions for pairings.

Like any modern couple,

Baraka and Calaya matched on a dating site,

fell in love, and moved in together

with Calaya making the cross country trip to D.C.

After two years together,

Baraka and Calaya knew it was time to start a family.

Western Lowland gorillas

are a critically endangered species.

Our goal is to try to identify the right male gorillas

and the right female gorillas that will come together

to create baby gorillas, so that our population

will carry on for a very long time.

These creatures are extraordinary.

Humans and gorillas share about 98 percent of the same DNA.

We are similar in so many ways.

Can gorillas experience love the same way humans do?

We're not sure but why not give them the best shot.

At 6:25 p.m., on April 15th, 2018,

Baraka and Calaya's son Moke, was born.

The algorithm worked.

Moke will one day also be a part

of the Gorilla Species Survival Plan,

waiting for his chance to find true love.