Baby gorilla meets its mother for the first time

The 12-day old baby gorilla was physically introduced to her mother, Imani, for the first time at the San Diego Zoo Credit: Associated Press

A baby gorilla, who has been receiving surgery for a collapsed lung since shortly after it was born, has been introduced to its mother for the first time in a San Diego zoo.

The 12-day-old female, who was successfully treated for pneumonia after a rare caesarean section delivery, was reunited with new mum Imani yesterday morning.

Since then, the 18-year-old gorilla has been constantly cradling and carrying her baby.

This is the first baby born for Imani and the 17th gorilla to be born at the San Diego Safari Park.

The new mum began nursing three hours after meeting the baby yesterday but zoo staff say they will continue to monitor the newborn to ensure she receives enough nutrition.

Safari Park keeper Jennifer Minichino carefully holds the new baby while Dr. Jack Allen, examines the newborn gorilla Credit: Associated Press

Zoo officials say the young gorilla sleeps a lot but is getting stronger day by day and vets are cautiously optimistic about her condition, while she receives around-the-clock care.

Read: Baby gorilla 'well enough' to be released from hospital after rare C-section