LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The first baby gorilla to be born at the Los Angeles Zoo in 20 years is a female, who has yet to be named, zoo officials announced today.
First-time mother N'djia, 25, gave birth on Jan. 18. The western lowland gorilla baby's dad is Kelly, 32.
"Every birth is a celebration, both in zoos and in the wild," said Candace Sclimenti, the zoo's curator of mammals. "We are thrilled about this baby because she will provide additional attention to this critically endangered species."
Western lowland gorillas are currently considered critically endangered in the wild due to illegal hunting, susceptibility to diseases such as the Ebola virus and habitat degradation and destruction.