Critically endangered western lowland gorilla gives birth at Bristol Zoo

Conservationists are trying to save the world’s population of western lowland gorillas, but one animal has just done its bit to keep the species alive.

The number of critically endangered western lowland gorillas has increased by one after a birth at the UK’s Bristol Zoo this week.

Nine-year-old gorilla Kala gave birth to the baby gorilla while father Jock watched on in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Zookeepers later arrived to find Kala nursing her newborn.

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Kala with her newborn infant gorilla. Picture: Bristol Zoo

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“There is something very special about seeing a newborn baby gorilla, they are such an iconic and charismatic species,” Bristol Zoo mammals curator Lynsey Bugg said.

“We are all thrilled … she is being very attentive and taking good care of her baby,” Ms Bugg added.

“It’s very early days but we are cautiously optimistic. The early signs are good and the baby looks to be a good size and is strong.”

Kala with her newborn infant gorilla. Picture: Bristol Zoo

The infant gorilla joins an existing troop of six as part of a breeding program at the zoo.

Kala was first brought there from another zoo in Germany in 2018.

The Bristol Zoo also supports a gorilla and chimpanzee sanctuary in Cameroon, and a conservation project for habitat in Equatorial Guinea.

Golden lion tamarins are named after their lion-like manes. Picture: Bristol Zoo.

This week the zoo also welcomed two new endangered golden lion tamarin monkeys.

It was the fourth time the mother had given birth to twins but the first time they both survived.