SL London Zoo’s one-year-old gorilla Alika has a new baby brother called Gernot – watch how they have been bonding
A new baby gorilla has been born at ZSL London Zoo to 22-year-old female Effie and 17-year-old silverback Kumbuka.
Born on November 25, the new male gorilla has been named Gernot, after the partner of one of the zoo’s generous donors
Newborn gorilla Gernot (Photo: ZSL London Zoo)
Video has emerged of Gernot bonding with his one-year-old sister, Alika.
Alika can be seen stroking the head of the newborn as it is cradled in their mother’s arms.
Alika strokes her brother’s head (Photo: ZSL London Zoo)
Gorilla keeper Glynn Hennessy said: “Baby gorilla Gernot has quickly become the centre of attention at ZSL London Zoo’s Gorilla Kingdom, but one-year-old Alika has embraced her new role of the doting big sister.
“Western lowland gorillas live in troops and learn how to act from observing each other’s behaviours and manners and here we can see Alika demonstrating some of the nurturing skills she’s learned from the adults.
“As keepers we not only get to celebrate the important milestone of Alika’s first birthday, and marvel at how independent she’s becoming, but we get to witness these incredible, natural interactions between her and Gernot.”