The London Zoo is abuzz with excitement as they welcome a new addition to their gorilla family - a baby western lowland gorilla born on February 8th. The baby, whose gender is still unknown, is being lovingly cared for by its mother, Effie. Zookeepers have refrained from getting too close to the infant to allow Effie to continue nurturing her young one.
The baby gorilla is one of two born at the zoo this winter, with the other baby being born to mother Mjukuu almost a month earlier. Both babies were fathered by Kiburi, a 19-year-old silverback gorilla who was brought to the zoo from Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands as part of a conservation breeding program aimed at preserving the critically endangered gorilla subspecies.
Effie's baby had a challenging arrival as it was born wrapped in its umbilical cord, which posed a potential threat to its life. Zookeepers closely monitored the baby for the first three days to ensure it was feeding and moving properly until the cord naturally detached.
London Zoo, situated within Regent's Park, is set to unveil a new habitat to the public called The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians. This new exhibit will replace the old Reptile House and promises to offer visitors a fascinating glimpse into the world of these often misunderstood creatures.
