Affectionate gorilla tries to kiss baby through glass at Columbus Zoo in Ohio

An affectionate gorilla is going viral after a visitor to the Columbus Zoo captured a video of the gorilla trying to kiss her baby daughter, Noah.

Hannah Pearson held Noah by a window in the Ohio zoo’s gorilla enclosure when the animal tried to kiss her through the glass.

The gorilla remained incredibly calm throughout the entire video and Noah didn’t realize what the animal was trying to do.

Still, the younger children couldn’t help but laugh when the gorilla lifted his lips from the window.

Pearson’s TikTok video has been viewed nearly four million times since it resurfaced earlier this week.

The gorilla was incredibly calm during the resurfaced video, and Noah didn’t notice what the animal was trying to do

The Columbus Zoo in Powell is known for its history of gorilla conservation, and was the first zoo in the world to take a baby gorilla into captivity.

This particular gorilla was born on December 22, 1956 and was named Colo.

Colo remained at the zoo until she died in her sleep in 2017 at the age of 60, outliving the life expectancy of a captive gorilla by more than 20 years.

Colo’s last surviving descendant, Toni, also lived at the Columbus Zoo and passed away in 2020 due to deteriorating health.

Today the zoo is home to several groups of gorillas and on June 29 the birth of a baby western lowland gorilla was celebrated.

“With tiny hands and beautiful big brown eyes that melt our hearts, this baby is absolutely precious — both in terms of cuteness and what this baby means for the future of this species,” Audra Meinelt, curator of the Columbus Zoo’s Congo Expedition region, said in a press release at the time.

“We are proud of the dedication of our care teams who work diligently to provide the gorillas with the best possible care and well-being while continuing the legacy of the Columbus Zoo’s renowned gorilla program.”

The Columbus Zoo in Powell is famous for its history of gorilla conservation, and was the first zoo in the world to welcome a baby gorilla into captivity

Colo, the first gorilla born in captivity, remained at the Columbus Zoo until she died in her sleep in 2017 at the age of 60

All gorillas at the Columbus Zoo are from the western lowlands. They are generally peaceful and shy unless they feel threatened.

The population of western lowland gorillas has declined rapidly in recent years and they are considered critically endangered.

According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, two of the main factors contributing to the species’ population decline are high rates of disease and hunting.

Although the exact number of living western lowland gorillas is unclear, the total population is estimated to be around 100,000, according to the WWF.

Animal lovers who want to see a western lowland gorilla in a more natural habitat can visit the forests of Congo.

All gorillas at the Columbus Zoo are Western Lowland gorillas and are generally peaceful and shy unless they feel threatened.

The zoo is home to several groups of gorillas and on June 29 the birth of a baby western lowland gorilla was celebrated

TikTok users went wild over the gorilla’s love for Noah, with several people calling the moment “so sweet.”

“This is beautiful and so is your baby. She knows it’s a baby. They’re just so smart,” one TikToker wrote.

Another commenter wrote: ‘Oh my god, if this isn’t cute I don’t know what is.’