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Baby Gorilla Recovering From Her Injuries At Lincoln Park Zoo

Nayembsi Injury
Nayembi is recovering from her injuries. (Credit: Lincoln Park Zoo)

CHICAGO (CBS) -- It was just over a week ago that Lincoln Park Zoo's baby gorilla was found seriously injured.

CBS 2's Ed Curran reports the three-month old is improving.

On Feb. 20, little Nayembi was found with some very serious injuries, and the staff reacted quickly.

Nayembi Injury
Nayembi is recovering from her injuries. (Credit: Lincoln Park Zoo)

"We were able to get her within a few moments of the injury happening, and finding it. We were able to get her over to the zoo hospital and in a very short period of time into emergency surgery," said Megan Ross, vice president of animal care at the zoo.

Nayembi suffered facial injuries, including both the bone and the soft tissue, primarily around the nose and the upper lip and the upper jaw, Ross said.

Another gorilla may be responsible for the injures.

For now, zoo staff are more concerned with getting little Nayembi well, then getting her back home to her family, including mom, Rollie and dad, Kwan.

"Right now she's healing very well and following a typical progression for this healing," said Kathryn Gamble, a vet at the zoo. "Thank god babies heal very quickly"

You can play a role.

Gorilla Babies
Mother, Rollie, with her baby Nayembi. (Credit: Lincoln Park Zoo)

"We do have a wish list online and people can help contribute to her care because babies take a lot of time and energy and certainly support," Gamble said.

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