The Sedgwick County Zoo has had its first gorilla birth.
A lowland gorilla was born late last Wednesday to parents Barika, 15, and Matt, 23, the zoo announced Monday. The gender of the baby is unknown at this time.
The zoo says the baby has been seen nursing and appears to be clinging well. Barika and the baby will stay behind the scenes until zoo staff is confident the baby is strong and healthy enough for its public debut.
Lowland gorillas can be found across Cameroon, People’s Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea. They are a critically endangered species due to habitat destruction, hunting and poaching.