Lincoln Park Zoo is having a mini baby boom this fall. Monday, zoo officials announced the birth of a western lowland gorilla, the second born to the zoo this fall.
The as-yet unnamed baby girl was born to the zoo's 16-year-old gorilla mom, Rollie, and 23-year-old silverback father, Kwan.
(Scroll down to see photos of the zoo's newest baby gorilla.)
The baby is the second youngster for Kwan, who earlier in October sired baby Patty with troop member Bana.
“It is so much fun having multiple youngsters in the same troop, not to mention this type of environment will be great for fostering the social development of these new infants,” Curator of Primates Maureen Leahy said in a statement. “There is a real sense of camaraderie among the adult females, and their babies will have the chance to play together and learn from each other.”
Leahy said troop members have been quite interested in the newborn, with Bana and baby Patty hanging out nearby.
According to Lincoln Park Zoo, the newborn baby gorilla marks the first time in eight years that two infants have been in the same troop. In 2004, babies Susie and Azizi were born a year apart; both gorillas still live at Lincoln Park Zoo.
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