Deep in the heart of London’s renowned zoo, a tiny member of an endangered gorilla subspecies has been captivating hearts since making its first appearance over six weeks ago. Although the baby western lowland gorilla, as delicate and vulnerable as only an infant can be, remains without a name for now, the zookeepers are in no rush.
The reason? It’s a curious and heartwarming sight: The baby gorilla has been wrapped in the tender embrace of its mother, the affable Effie. The watchful mother gorilla’s love and protectiveness has elevated them to the endearing status of zoo celebrities. Yet, her vigilance has made it near impossible for the zookeepers to confirm the infant gorilla’s gender.
“It’s not an easy task sexing a gorilla without a close-up examination,” explains Rebecca Blanchard, representing London Zoo’s dedicated team. “The infant remains firmly enveloped by its mother’s embrace most of the time. Here at London Zoo, we respect maternal instincts, and let nature run its course.”
The small wonder made its entrance into the world on February 8th, joining another baby western lowland gorilla born almost a month prior to a fellow mother, Mjukuu. Notably, both baby gorillas were fathered by the impressive Kiburi, a robust 19-year-old silverback gorilla. The Canary Islands-born male was transported from Tenerife to London as a critical participant in a breeding program aimed at preserving the endangered gorilla subspecies.
However, the birth of Effie’s newborn proved to be a complex affair. Born with its umbilical cord entwined, the infant’s life teetered on a dangerous precipice. The vigilant zookeepers kept a round-the-clock watch on it for the initial three days. Their painstaking efforts saw the baby gorilla continue to feed and move until the potentially perilous umbilical cord finally detached itself.
Yet, the enchanting saga of this baby gorilla isn’t the only exciting news emanating from the iconic Regent’s Park-based London Zoo. The zoo is poised to unveil a new attraction this Friday dubbed “The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians”. This innovative habitat is set to replace the previously established Reptile House, promising a rich experience into the less known facets of these intricately fascinating creatures.
Indeed, London Zoo continues in its unwavering commitment to enrich public knowledge about the enigmatic world of these mesmerizing species while spearheading initiatives to protect and preserve endangered animals.
