Twycross Zoo announces arrival of baby gorilla

Twycross Zoo announces arrival of baby gorilla NEWS

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Twycross Zoo in Warwickshire, are pleased to announce the safe arrival of a healthy baby western lowland gorilla. This critically endangered species was born at approximately 9.15 on 3 January.

A proud Zoo in Warwickshire have announced the safe arrival of a baby western lowland gorilla born at the beginning of January.

Twycross Zoo has said the baby gorilla and its mother Ozala are both doing very well, with mum keeping the new arrival very close to her.

Ozala was also born at Twycross Zoo in 1994, and her baby will join a close family unit which includes the baby's father, a silverback Oumbi and its grandmother, Biddi. Ozala also has a half-sister, who is thought to play a part in the baby's upbringing.

Charlotte McDonald, Curator of Living Collections commented on the new arrival, saying:#quote#The baby's father is gentle but protective and is showing a lot of interest in the infant. On the day of the baby's birth he was very inquisitive, sitting beside Ozala and putting his face right up to the baby to smell it. In time, he will touch and play with the baby but for now he lets Ozala take things at her own pace.#/quote#

This critically endangered species is listed on the IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species. It is estimated that there are less than 100,000 of western lowland gorillas living in the wild, meaning that this species is in danger of becoming extinct.

Sharon Redrobe, Zoological Director added: 'Because the western lowland gorilla is such an endangered animal every gorilla birth is important, and this infant represents another contribution to the European Endangered Species breeding programme and to the conservation of this species.

'We're also delighted to have three generations of gorilla living together, which enhances the social welfare of the group.'

BritEvents.com spoke to Natalie Gudgen from Tycross Zoo today to ask if they know the sex of the new arrival.

Natalie told us: 'We haven't been able to get near to the baby as mum is holding it very close to her. We are hoping that within the next month we will have a good idea whether it is a boy of a girl.

She added because of the uncertainty of the sex, the zoo are unable to give the gorilla a name. Natalie confirmed that the Zoo is open to the public and the baby gorilla and its mum are on 'full public show'.

The Zoo is open every day apart from Christmas day, so have a lovely day out and check how the western lowland gorilla baby is adapting to its new family life.

For information on Twycross Zoo tickets, pricing and opening times go to www.twycrosszoo.org Check out this link to the Gorilla WebCam on Twycross Zoo's website.