It's a girl!
Lincoln Park Zoo on Monday announced the birth of a western lowland gorilla, the first of this endangered species to be born at the zoo since 2005.
The baby gorilla was born Nov. 16, and according to a zoo statement, she appears to be doing well with her first-time mom, 15-year-old Bana.
The baby's father, a 22-year-old silverback named Kwan, "seems proud of his new offspring and has stayed protectively close to mother and baby," according to the zoo.
The Regenstein Center for African Apes has been closed to the public since the baby's arrival to give the gorillas time to adjust and to allow staff to observe the mother and newborn to ensure proper care-taking.
The baby gorilla will make its public debut Tuesday when the building opens at 10 a.m.
This newborn is the 49th gorilla born at Lincoln Park Zoo, which has become a leader in gorilla breeding over the years.
