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Second gorilla born at Bristol Zoo in less than six months
Bristol Zoo has welcomed a new addition to its gorilla family – the second in six months.
The western lowland gorilla was born in the early hours of Tuesday, December 22 to 13-year-old Touni.
It’s Touni’s second baby; she gave birth to her first in April 2017. Ayana, who is almost four years old, still lives at Bristol Zoo.
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The infant was born just four months after another gorilla, ten-year-old Kala, gave birth to Hasani.
Hasani, who was born in August, is currently being hand-reared by keepers after Kala struggled to care for him.
Touni gave birth to her infant, whose sex is currently unknown, with dad Jock nearby. Keepers arrived this morning to find the little gorilla being cradled in its mother’s arms.
“It is simply wonderful to see a new-born gorilla, they are so charismatic and such an iconic species,” says Nigel Simpson, Bristol Zoological Society’s head of animal collections.
“Touni is an excellent mother and she is taking very good care of her baby. All the early signs are positive and the baby looks to be strong and healthy. We will be keeping a very close eye on both mother and baby as these early hours and days are so important.”
The baby gorilla will also help to safeguard the future of the western lowland gorilla species, which are critically endangered in the wild.
Visitors to the zoo should be able to see the new gorilla as they pass through the Gorilla House or look onto the Gorilla Island outside.
Main photo: Bristol Zoo
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