Mumba the gorilla cradles her baby - the latest edition to the endangered species at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Folkstone, Kentrescued from the Congo and has sired 26 babies to date.

Cradling her baby in her huge arms, Mumba the gorilla welcomes a new edition to her endangered species.

The infant - pictured here at five days old - was born at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Folkestone, Kent.

And just days earlier, another baby gorilla was born at the nearby sister park, Howletts near Canterbury.

At Howletts, 13 year old Boma gave birth to a male, named

The arrivals bring fresh hope as there are just 100,000 Western lowland gorillas remaining in the wild - and it is feared they will be extinct by 2020 if the species keeps dwlinding at its present rate.

Western Lowlands have been hit by deforestation, the Ebola virus and the bush meat trade which sees them widely eaten in Central Africa.

Mumba, 22, is playing her part in the survival of her species, after giving birth on April 25.
The gender of the baby is not known as park keepers do not yet think it is safe enough to enter Mumba's enclosure.

She already has two male offspring - Djumbah, aged 13 and Ja Ja, aged 10.
Father of all three is 27 year old Djala, who was Nkoumou, on April 8. Nkoumou has two half siblings, both 3 years old - Kisane and Masindi.

Father to all three is Djanghou, born at Howletts in December 1993 with Nkoumou's mother, Boma arriving from St Martin La Plaine Zoo in France to join the group.

Port Lympne's head of gorillas Phil Ridges said: 'We knew that Mumba was pregnant but the gestation period did seem to go on a little longer than anticipated. Everyone was pleased to see that Mumba had a successful labour and both mother and baby are doing very well.'

Lorna Wanless, head of the gorilla section at Howletts, said; 'We are fortunate to be able to care for and work with so many of this endangered species and pleased to see that mum and baby are showing real signs of bonding.'

Both parks are supported by the Aspinall Foundation, whose breeding scheme is part of a rescue and rehabilitation programme for captive-born gorillas in the Congo and Gabon.

The two parks are now home to a total of 77 gorillas between them.  

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Mumba the gorilla cradles her baby - the latest edition to the endangered species at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Folkstone, Kentrescued from the Congo and has sired 26 babies to date.

The infant - pictured here at five days old - was born at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Folkestone, Kent.

And just days earlier, another baby gorilla was born at the nearby sister park, Howletts near Canterbury.

At Howletts, 13 year old Boma gave birth to a male, named

The arrivals bring fresh hope as there are just 100,000 Western lowland gorillas remaining in the wild - and it is feared they will be extinct by 2020 if the species keeps dwlinding at its present rate.

Western Lowlands have been hit by deforestation, the Ebola virus and the bush meat trade which sees them widely eaten in Central Africa.

Mumba, 22, is playing her part in the survival of her species, after giving birth on April 25.
The gender of the baby is not known as park keepers do not yet think it is safe enough to enter Mumba's enclosure.

She already has two male offspring - Djumbah, aged 13 and Ja Ja, aged 10.
Father of all three is 27 year old Djala, who was Nkoumou, on April 8. Nkoumou has two half siblings, both 3 years old - Kisane and Masindi.

Father to all three is Djanghou, born at Howletts in December 1993 with Nkoumou's mother, Boma arriving from St Martin La Plaine Zoo in France to join the group.

Port Lympne's head of gorillas Phil Ridges said: 'We knew that Mumba was pregnant but the gestation period did seem to go on a little longer than anticipated. Everyone was pleased to see that Mumba had a successful labour and both mother and baby are doing very well.'

Lorna Wanless, head of the gorilla section at Howletts, said; 'We are fortunate to be able to care for and work with so many of this endangered species and pleased to see that mum and baby are showing real signs of bonding.'

Both parks are supported by the Aspinall Foundation, whose breeding scheme is part of a rescue and rehabilitation programme for captive-born gorillas in the Congo and Gabon.

The two parks are now home to a total of 77 gorillas between them.  

Mail on Line