Lincoln Park Zoo Welcomes New Endangered Gorilla Baby

By Lisa White in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 28, 2015 9:15PM

The Lincoln Park Zoo was happy to debut an adorable new addition to their family this week. The zoo announced the birth of a healthy female western lowland gorilla born on Feb. 24 to gorilla mom Bahati. Zoo officials report the baby is staying close to her mom and appears to be doing well.

Bahati, 27, is experiencing motherhood again for the first time since 2004. Proud father Kwan, 25, keeps a watchful eye on both mom and baby and is the silverback of the family group. The new baby joins an existing troop of six, which includes her half-sisters Nayembi and Patty who were born at the zoo in 2012. The baby does not have a name yet, but the zoo is working with a loyal donor to help choose one.

The western lowland gorillas are severely endangered in their native land of central Africa due to habitat loss and poaching. Lincoln Park Zoo has been recognized internationally for their great apes program, which includes the Regenstein Center for African Apes. The zoo also has researchers studying and monitoring apes in the Goualougo Triangle, a remote region of the Congo.

A team at the zoo will closely monitor both mom and baby since the first few weeks are critical in the survival of newborn gorillas. “As with any birth, we are cautiously optimistic about the latest arrival. Bahati is an experienced mother whose maternal instincts are what we would hope to see with a newborn gorilla,” said Maureen Leahy, curator of primates.

If you want to catch a glimpse of Bahati and her adorable new offspring, zoo guests are able to stop by and see the gorilla group on exhibit at Regenstein Center for African Apes starting today. The center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you can't visit Bahati and the other gorillas in person, check out the video below for more adorable baby action.