The entire Bristol Zoo in England recently rejoiced at the wonderful news that a 9-year-old gorilla named Kala gave birth to a baby boy.
In September 2019, Kala lost her cub – he couldn’t live even a week. Doctors had to perform an emergency cesarean section because the gorilla had a low placenta that was blocking the birth. Unfortunately, the cub was too tiny and could not survive, despite the zoo staff’s efforts.
But luckily, Kala was able to get pregnant again, and recently became a mother. She is very attentive, gentle, and caring towards the newborn, and does not let it out of her paws, carrying it with her everywhere.
“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.” Lynsey Bugg, Curator of Mammals at Bristol Zoo, said.
The baby himself looks strong and healthy, is growing hair, and is becoming more and more curious. His sex is not yet known – the staff will find out when the cub becomes more independent of his mother.
“We are all thrilled,” Lynsey Bugg said about the arrival of the baby. “There is something very special about seeing a new-born baby gorilla, they are such an iconic and charismatic species.”
Kala is a western plains gorilla. Unfortunately, this species is threatened with extinction, mostly due to hunting. This species originates from Cameroon, a state in West Central Africa.
