First gorilla born by C-section celebrates second birthday
A baby gorilla which was the first to be born by cesarean section in Britain is celebrating her second birthday.
Afia, a western lowland gorilla, is now fully integrated into her primate family after being handreared by zookeepers, metro. co.uk wrote.
She was born by emergency cesarean section in February 2016 with the operation carried out by consultant surgeons from Bristol University along with the Bristol Zoo’s own vet team.
She weighed just one kilogram after being born a few weeks premature and needed help from vets before she was able to breathe independently.
Afia, which means Friday-born child in Ghanian, had to be hand-reared as her mum, Kera, was too ill to care for her. Keepers had to teach her natural gorilla behaviors but when Kera recovered from the surgery and subsequent illness, she showed no maternal interest towards Afia.
But the zoo’s most dominant female, Romina, was very interested and in time became her surrogate mum.
It is expected that Afia will remain with Romina until she is almost five, learning and receiving care from her, until she reaches an independent age.
She will then stay in the zoo’s gorilla troop until she reaches sexual maturity. Curator of mammals, Lynsey Bugg, said: “Afia really is our little miracle. She came through against all the odds and is growing up into a strong and healthy gorilla.
“Her surrogate mum, Romina, cares for her very well and Afia has settled into life with our other gorillas.
“She is a very independent girl and can often be found far away from Romina, playing with other members of the group, especially Kera and our six-year old male Kukena.
“She is also fascinated by Jock and often follows him around. We are thrilled that we can celebrate her second birthday.”
Western lowland gorillas are Critically Endangered.
Bristol Zoo Gardens is a conservation and education charity which relies on the public to fund its work in the zoo and its vital conservation and research projects spanning five continents.