Bana nurses her baby at Lincoln Park Zoo. (Credit: Todd Rosenberg/Lincoln Park Zoo)
CHICAGO (CBS) — There’s a new addition to the family at Lincoln Park Zoo, which has announced the birth of a baby western lowland gorilla.
The sex of baby, which was born on Oct. 11, has not been determined.
Zoo officials say the baby is doing well.
Mother Bana, 17, is showing appropriate maternal instincts, while dad Kwan, a 23-year-old silverback, is watchful over the mom and baby.
“We are cautiously optimistic about the new arrival. So far, Bana and the baby are showing all the signs of a happy, healthy mom-and-baby pair,” said Curator of Primates Maureen Leahy.
“Bana has been nesting in a quiet corner of the enclosure where she can nurture her infant The baby is nursing regularly and demonstrating positive behaviors like reaching and gripping tightly.”
Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered in their native central Africa due to habitat loss and poaching.
Guests can see Bana and her baby at Regenstein Center for African Apes at Lincoln Park Zoo starting Oct. 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.
