Mogo Wildlife Park welcomes its newest ‘furry’ attraction

Cuteness can come in all shapes and sizes – just ask Mogo Wildlife Park’s team, who are celebrating the birth of their latest gorilla infant, which is the sibling of the very brave Kaius.

. A new gorilla baby with its mother at Mogo Zoo. Picture: Chad Staples

Cuteness can come in all shapes and sizes – just ask Mogo Wildlife Park’s team, who are celebrating the birth of their latest gorilla infant.

The little furry friend, who is yet to be named and is the younger sibling of fellow gorilla Kaius, was born nine days ago at the NSW south coast zoo.

Their newest gorilla is the younger sibling of the very famous Kaius, where for seven months, zookeeper Chad Staples lovingly cared around the clock for the infant like he was his very own son, which saved his life.

“He was like my newborn for the first seven months, we barely spent any time away from each other,” Mr Staples said.

Two year-old old gorilla Kaius pictured at Mogo Zoo on the South Coast of NSW. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Kaius had to be individually cared for due to a number of health complications, following his mother not birthing the placenta, before developing sepsis pneumonia, and his family abandoning him.

But this time around, there were no issues with the birth, with the zoo saying they are so relieved that the process went smooth.

The mother holding her baby at Mogo Zoo. Picture: Chad Staples

“This is the greatest outcome, It is such a welcome addition.”

“You want it to all go well, and knowing what it took to get Kaius through, there were moments of sheer dread that I may have to do it again,” Mr Staples expressed.

The western lowland gorilla, which is found in central-west Africa, is a critically endangered species due to a number of reasons including habitat loss, poaching and the spread of diseases such as ebola.

The new gorilla baby with its mother at Mogo Zoo. Picture: Chad Staples

Mr Staples, who has a strong online following, said that every birth is important in keeping the species alive.

“It’s crucial when you are talking about numbers that low, every individual born is a huge milestone,” he said.

When asked what he would name the new gorilla, Mr Staples said his team was still thinking hard of the perfect name.

Today is the first time their newest addition will be on show, with crowds expected to flock to see the sight of their youngest gorilla.

Originally published as Mogo Wildlife Park welcomes its newest ‘furry’ attraction