Christmas comes early as zoo welcomes birth of baby gorilla
For the second time this year a baby gorilla has been born at Bristol Zoo
Christmas has come early at Bristol Zoo, which has welcomed the birth of a baby gorilla for the second time this year.
Mum Touni gave birth to a tiny western lowland gorilla in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
She gave birth naturally to the infant, with dad, Jock, and the rest of the family troop close by.
Keepers arrived in the morning to find the little gorilla being cradled in its mother’s arms.
It is the second time 13-year-old Touni has become a Mum, after she gave birth to Ayana in April 2017.
The arrival is also the second new addition to the zoo's troop this year, coming just four months after another gorilla, ten-year-old Kala, gave birth to Hasani.
Nigel Simpson, Head of Animal Collections, said: “It is simply wonderful to see a new-born gorilla, they are so charismatic and such an iconic species.
The birth is also important in helping to safeguard the future of western lowland gorillas, which are Critically Endangered in the wild.
“Touni is an excellent mother and she is taking very good care of her baby. All the early signs are positive and the baby looks to be strong and healthy. We will be keeping a very close eye on both mother and baby as these early hours and days are so important.
“This is also great news for Bristol Zoological Society, which operates both Bristol Zoo Gardens and Wild Place Project, as we are part of an internationally important breeding and conservation programme.
"The new gorilla joins the troop of seven others here at the Zoo, which are part of a breeding programme to help safeguard the future of western lowland gorillas."