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Baby Gorilla Arrives!
After months of speculation about her due date, Miliki, the Western Lowland gorilla gave birth to a healthy baby on the 7th May. The decision was taken to give Mum and baby time to bond with each other and the rest of the group, Dad Bukavu and the other females, Njema and Kena, before making the birth public knowledge. As yet, the baby is unnamed as its sex has not been determined.
Miliki has taken to motherhood extremely well and keeps her baby close to her chest at all times. A few lucky visitors have managed to catch a glimpse of the pair including Zoo member, Shaz Bentley, who captured this breathtaking photo of them relaxing in a sunny corner of the Ape House.
Zoo Director, Darren Webster, said, "We've waited over 37 years for a gorilla birth so we're all over the moon. Miliki and her baby are doing really well and we hope that we may have another pregnancy in the near future with either her half-sister Njema or Kena. It's a huge event for both the Zoo and Blackpool."
Another very significant birth occured the previous day, the 6th May, when keepers dicovered a baby Pileated gibbon in the Small Primate House. Mum, Ivy, is 20 years old and was introduced to a new mate in 2009. This is, again, a first for the Zoo and a very important birth in the world of primates. Both Mum and baby are making excellent progress.
