Yesterday the National Zoo welcomed a brand spanking new baby gorilla.  Born on January 10th to six-time mom Mandara, the newborn appears to be doing well. In these timely pictures (first shot and video courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute and Sarah Taylor, second 2 pics by Jonathan L. Kang) the precious babe is seen snuggling in beaming mom's arms.

On January 10, a western lowland gorilla
was born at the Zoo's Great Ape House to 26-year-old Mandara and
16-year-old Baraka. The newborn represents the seventh successful
gorilla birth for the Zoo since 1991. Both mother and baby appear to be
doing well.

The newborn joins siblings Kigali, Kwame and Kojo, as well as group member Haloko at the Great Ape House. All of the Zoo’s gorillas will remain on exhibit.

This
newborn is the sixth offspring for Mandara. The baby’s sex has not yet
been determined. More photos and updates will be posted as they become
available. A video is available below.

The
gorilla birth is significant for the Zoo. Western lowland gorillas,
which are native to tropical forests of West and Central Africa, are
listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species, primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation and poaching.
The Zoo participates in the Species Survival Plan for gorillas, in
which North American zoos collaborate to encourage the development of a
self-sustaining zoo gorilla population that is both genetically diverse
and demographically stable, helping to ensure the survival of this
endangered species.