London (AFP) – An endangered western lowland gorilla has been born at London Zoo, making it the second great ape born at the facility in the past month, the zoo announced Tuesday.
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Western lowland gorillas live in dense and largely remote rainforests in western and central Africa and are classified as at high risk of extinction.
Their numbers have declined by more than 60% over the past 25 years, largely due to deforestation, poaching and disease, according to the Zoological Society of London.
The baby, whose gender has not been confirmed, was born to mother Effie on February 8th and was delivered in the Gorilla Kingdom’s gym area.
The birth of a baby gorilla takes place three and a half weeks after the birth of another baby gorilla called Mijuku.
Kathryn Saunders, primate manager at London Zoo, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have our second baby gorilla born here at London Zoo in less than a month.
“These babies are important additions to our conservation breeding program for this endangered species, and just as importantly, they are great additions to our corps.”
The western lowland gorilla has brownish-gray fur and a reddish-brown chest and is slightly smaller than other gorilla subspecies.
Also, the skull is wider, the eyebrow ridge is more pronounced, and the ears are smaller.
They live in family groups led by a male silverback, which is known to reach up to 6 feet (182 cm) in height when standing upright.
Western lowland gorillas live in some of Africa’s densest and most remote rainforests, so exact numbers are unknown, but the World Wildlife Fund estimates there may be around 100,000. .
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