(Reuters) — A western lowland gorilla, part of a critically endangered species, was born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, zoo officials announced Thursday (October 20).
The female, weighing about four pounds, is the second offspring for mother Kokomo and father Winston. It’s the sixth birth overall for Kokomo.
“The baby was born overnight, and the keepers found her in her mother’s arms when they came in (Wednesday) morning,” said San Diego lead keeper Peggy Sexton.
The baby has been seen nursing and all indications are that mother and baby are doing well. She becomes the eighth member of the troop at the park.
“The babies are only between 3 1/2 or 4 1/2 pounds, so they’re really tiny and the moms hold them very close to the chest,” Sexton said. “Often what you’ll see is the little face, and maybe a foot or a hand sticking out.”
Western lowland gorillas are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.