A bouncing baby ball of gorgeous.

At 6:05pm yesterday Melbourne Zoo’s Western Lowland Gorilla, Kimya, delivered her first baby.

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Kimya has been under constant observation for the last month, awaiting the blessed event, which was apparently a family affair.

The baby’s father Otana and three other females of the group, Julia, G-Ann, and Yuska, were all there to welcome the new addition. Zoo staff have said that Otana and G-Ann showed the most interest, so perhaps we should keep our eyes peeled for those two! [raw]

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This baby is the seventh to be born at Melbourne Zoo, the first since 2000.

Kimya came to Melbourne Zoo from Taronga in 2013 to join Otana, who is from Howlett’s Wild Animal Park in Kent, England. The pair were coupled as part of the international breeding program for their endangered species.

Handlers have not yet been able to observe the sex of the baby but all reports say that mother and baby are doing very well.

Congratulations Kimya and Otana, and to all the staff at Zoos Victoria.