Energy News
ABOUT US
Critically endangered gorilla born at London Zoo
stock image only
Critically endangered gorilla born at London Zoo
by AFP Staff Writers
London (AFP) Jan 18, 2024

A critically endangered western lowland gorilla was born at London Zoo on Wednesday morning after a speedy 17-minute labour, the zoo said.

Western lowland gorillas, which inhabit dense and largely remote rainforests in west and central Africa, are classified as having a high risk of becoming extinct.

Numbers have declined by more than 60 percent over the last 25 years, due largely to deforestation, poaching and disease, according to the Zoological Society of London.

Soon after the birth around 9:30 am (0930 GMT) mother Mjukuu was spotted cradling her newborn, before allowing the troop's youngsters, Alika and Gernot, to examine the new arrival.

"We'll be giving mum and baby lots of time and space to get to know each other, and for the rest of the troop to get used to their new addition -- they're as excited as we are and can't stop staring at the baby," London Zoo's primates manager Kathryn Sanders said.

Zookeepers monitored Mjukuu throughout her pregnancy via CCTV cameras installed in the dens and found her "tenderly holding her newborn".

"When we returned to their back dens, we could see Mjukuu was starting to stretch and squat -- a sign that she was in labour," Sanders said.

The baby gorilla's father, Kiburi, arrived at London Zoo from Tenerife, Spain in November 2022 as part of the international conservation breeding programme for western lowland gorillas.

The name and sex of the newborn gorilla are yet to be determined.

Western lowland gorillas, which have brown-grey coats and auburn chests, are slightly smaller than other gorilla subspecies.

They also have wider skulls with more pronounced brow ridges and smaller ears and live in family troops, led by a male silverback, known to reach heights of up to 6 ft (182 cm) when standing upright.

The exact number of western lowland gorillas is not known as they inhabit some of the most dense and remote rainforests in Africa but the World Wildlife Fund estimates there could be about 100,000.

Related Links
All About Human Beings and How We Got To Be Here

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ABOUT US
Global study reveals increasing life expectancy and narrowing gender longevity gap
Alcala de Henares, Spain (SPX) Jan 18, 2024
A novel study, spearheaded by David Atance of Universidad de Alcala, Spain, and published on January 17, 2024, in PLOS ONE, offers fresh insights into global mortality trends over the past thirty years. This research categorizes countries into five distinct clusters, mirroring the continental configurations, and uncovers a trend of increasing life expectancy and diminishing disparities in mortality between genders. Historically, longevity has improved globally over two centuries. However, the patt ... read more

ABOUT US
CNSA launches Gaofen 5-01A satellite for advanced earth observation

Capella Space and Floodbase unite to enhance Parametric Flood Insurance with Advanced SAR Imagery

Climate change isn't producing expected increase in atmospheric moisture over dry regions

NASA's PACE To Investigate Oceans, Atmospheres in Changing Climate

ABOUT US
Viasat Leads Historic UK SBAS Flight Trial, Showcasing Advanced GPS Capabilities

GMV reinforces satellite expertise with new Galileo Operations Center in Madrid

Airbus presents first flight model structure for Galileo Second Generation

Galileo Gen2 satellite production commences at Airbus facility

ABOUT US
China-funded nickel hub stoking deforestation on Indonesia island: report

Pacific kelp forests are far older that we thought

Soil fungi may help explain the global gradient in forest diversity

Deforestation in Brazilian Amazon halved in 2023

ABOUT US
Synthetic aviation fuel has yet to take off in Europe: study

Ants help reveal why sourcing different plants for eco fuels is crucial for biodiversity

Researchers create light-powered yeast, providing insights into evolution, biofuels, cellular aging

Nigerians look to biofuel as cost of cooking gas soars

ABOUT US
Breakthrough in tin-based perovskite solar cells achieves 11 percent power conversion efficiency

Novel Cathode Interlayer Boosts Performance of Tin-Lead Perovskite Solar Cells

JAXA says they hope sun will recharge lunar lander's solar panels

Space solar power project ends first in-space mission with successes and lessons

ABOUT US
European offshore wind enjoys record year in 2023

Leaf-shaped generators create electricity from the wind and rain

Danish firm to build huge wind farm off UK

UK unveils massive news windfarm investment by UAE, German firms

ABOUT US
China mining accident death toll rises to 13

At least 10 dead in China mining accident: state media

German emissions at 70-year low as coal use drops

Fears in Wales over legacy of its coalmining past

ABOUT US
Shanghai's elderly seek romance at Ikea lonely hearts club

Hit Chinese TV series rekindles sidelined Shanghainese dialect

China appoints son of ex-president Hu Jintao to senior govt role

Beijing says US stance on Nauru diplomatic switch a 'smear' on China

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.