Caesarean baby gorilla 'doing well' and needs a name

This baby gorilla, born by caesarean, needs a name. Credit: A. Pattenden/Bristol Zoo/PA Wire

A baby gorilla born by emergency caesarean section is "doing very well" according to zoo staff who are now searching for a name for the six-week-old.

The infant Western lowland gorilla has almost doubled her birth weight, now weighing 4.9lb (2.2kg), has started teething and has even giggled for the first time.

She was born at Bristol Zoo after by caesarean - a rare occurrence in gorillas and only carried out a handful of times in the world.

Her mother, Kera, was diagnosed with life-threatening pre-eclampsia prior to the birth and has been too unwell to care for the baby since the caesarean.

Lynsey Bugg, curator of mammals, said that Kera has been "very poorly" with anaemia and a suspected chest infection on top of the pre-eclampsia.

"There have been a few times when we have not been sure whether she would pull through, it's been a very delicate recovery for her and she is still not 100% better," she said.

The baby is being hand-reared around the clock as her mother is too poorly to care for her. Credit: A. Pattenden/Bristol Zoo/PA Wire

The baby is now being hand-reared round the clock by a small team of experienced gorilla keepers, although she is not currently on show to the public.

But carers of the little ape are now appealing for members of the public to vote for the best name for her.

The names under consideration are:

  • Maiombe - a geographical region in Africa covering gorillas' native countries.

  • Afia - meaning 'Friday born child' in Ghanaian.

  • Pianga - from Pianga-Makeshi, a place in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The baby may be fostered by other female gorillas as Kera has shown little interest because she has been so ill.

However, zoo keepers are pleased with the progress the baby gorilla is making.