New baby gorilla born at Dublin Zoo just months after death of popular Lena – but zookeepers cant find out gender yet
The western lowland gorilla baby was born to first-time mum Kafi and father Bangui on April 1
A NEW baby gorilla has been born at Dublin Zoo - just months after the death of one of the zoo's most popular gorillas.
The western lowland gorilla baby was born to first-time mum Kafi and father Bangui on April 1.
But zookeepers haven't yet been able to determine the sex of the infant as Kafi has been keeping the tot close to her chest.
The baby gorilla weighs around 2-2.5kg and is Bangui's first offspring since arriving in Dublin Zoo last year.
Bangui came to Dublin after the death of longtime alpha-male silverback Harry, who died in 2016.
Bangui was quickly accepted as the new alpha-male of the troop and has begun his transformation into a silverback gorilla.
'GREAT STEP FORWARD FOR SPECIES'
African Plains' team leader Helen Clarke-Bennett said: "Kafi is doing a fantastic job so far as a first-time mother, keeping the young baby physically close in these crucial early stages.
"Bangui is proving to be an attentive father and at night has been sleeping close to Kafi and the baby. Kafi seems comfortable and at ease and we expect her to mix with the rest of the gorilla troop very soon.
"Since she arrived with us back in 2012, Kafi has witnessed other female gorillas give birth and raise their young which has been a huge help in teaching Kafi how to look after her own baby.
"This new birth is a great step forward for this critically endangered species."
Dublin Zoo was "extremely saddened" at the death of one of its most beloved western lowland gorillas Lena last August.
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The 35-year-old gave birth seven times since her arrival in 1988, and had her most recent baby in 2016 with the silverback gorilla Harry.
Dublin Zoo Director, Leo Oosterweghel, told Newstalk: "The unexpected loss of our ageing, female western lowland gorilla Lena was very upsetting.
"She was 35 years old and had given birth seven times since arriving at Dublin Zoo."
