Very recently—on 30 August—a new gorilla baby was born at the Zoo: always a source of great happiness for those working to preserve endangered species, especially the large primates, animals who are so closely related to us!

The parents of the little gorilla boy or girl—we still do not know its gender because the mother holds onto the baby tightly day and night—are Ntua and Ebobo. This is not Ntua’s first baby, and her experience is very obvious because she has been taking good care of her offspring since the very beginning. Virunga, the baby’s sister, remains close to them at all times and the entire group is very relaxed and calm. Ebobo, who is the leader, is also nearby at all times to make sure nothing threatens his family, especially the newest member. Mother and baby are in perfect condition and can be seen along with the rest of the group in their exhibit, across from the chimpanzees.

The Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) is critically endangered and the Barcelona Zoo participates in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) to conserve this species ex situ (outside of its natural habitat) to contribute to saving these animals, which could unfortunately disappear in nature very soon.