zoo
Offspring for endangered gorillas
Western lowland gorilla Mjukuu cuddles with her baby. photo
© Zsl/PA Media/dpa
Experts believe that the number of western lowland gorillas has declined by more than 60 percent in the past 25 years. A baby now gives hope for the preservation of the species.
Offspring for an endangered species: a small gorilla delights the keepers at the London Zoo. Mother Mjukuu gave birth to the still unnamed baby after just 17 minutes of labor, according to the zoo British capital announced.
It is a western lowland gorilla that is critically endangered. Gorilla dad Kiburi came to London from Tenerife in November 2022 as part of an international conservation program.
According to zoo operator Zoological Society of London, the number of wild animals has declined by more than 60 percent in the past 25 years due to poaching and disease. The gender of the tiny tot is not yet known.
Zookeepers described the infant as being snuggled close to its mother, said primate department head Kathryn Sanders. “To say we’re excited about this new addition would be a huge understatement – we’re all walking around grinning from ear to ear,” she said.