Dublin Zoo has announced the birth of an adorable baby western lowland gorilla, one of the most endangered species on the planet.
The baby gorilla was born on April 1 weighing in at a healthy 2-2.5kg. to first-time mother Kafi and father Bangui. So far Dublin Zoo has been unable to determine the gender of the new arrival as new mum Kafi is keeping the baby close.
The newborn is the first offspring of Bangui since his arrival at Dublin Zoo last year after the death of long-time alpha male 'silverback' Harry and Bangui has quickly become leader of the troop.
Helen Clarke-Bennett, Team Leader of the African Plains at Dublin Zoo said: "Kafi is doing a fantastic job so far as a first-time mother, keeping the young baby physically close in these crucial early stages. Bangui is proving to be an attentive father and at night has been sleeping close to Kafi and the baby. Kafi seems comfortable and at ease and we expect her to mix with the rest of the gorilla troop very soon."
First-time mum Kafi is doing a great job caring for her baby at Dublin Zoo
Western lowland gorillas are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
The numbers of these primates living in the wild is expected to fall by over 80% between 1980 and 2046 due to deforestation, commercial hunting and a highly contagious virus called Ebola being the three main threats facing their survival.
Dublin Zoo, a not-for-profit organisation, is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 6pm March-September. For further information on Dublin Zoo visit www.facebook.com/dublinzoo, www.dublinzoo.ie.
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