Durrell is delighted to announce the arrival of a bouncing, baby
western lowland gorilla. Proud mum, Hlala Kahilli gave birth to a healthy baby
in the early hours of this morning.
The new arrival was born early this morning and it will be a
while until we can so far ascertain whether it’s a boy or a girl as mother is
keeping the baby close to her chest.
This baby is the first to be born at Durrell for nine years
following the introduction of new dominant silverback Badongo, who incidentally
also celebrates his thirteenth birthday today. Whilst this is Badongo’s first
baby, Hlala Kahilli is an experienced mother and this is her fourth baby.
Mark Brayshaw Head of Animal Collection at Durrell said, “We are
delighted with the great news and so far the mother and infact are doing well,
but as with all births we need to be extra cautious during the first few days.
At the moment the group including the new parents are all very relaxed and our
keepers are remaining as hands off as possible as the group appears quite
settled.”
Discussing the importance of the birth he continued “The new
arrival is a great success for Durrell and the breeding programme of these
critically endangered primates.”
Western lowland gorillas are classified as critically endangered
by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
(IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Whilst the group is being run normally outside, Visitors are
able to see the mother and new baby but as we have to be cautious in this
sensitive period there may be times when mum and baby are off show.
Images from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
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