The baby gorilla is the first born at this facility in 16 years

Sep 16, 2013 11:32 GMT  ·  By

Ireland's Belfast Zoo has recently announced the birth of a baby Western Lowland gorilla whose arrival many consider no more and no less than a miracle.

Not only is this baby gorilla the first of its kind born at this facility in nearly 16 years, but, until its birth, zoo staff and veterinarians were quite convinced that its father, Gugas, was infertile.

“Because Gugas is so important, last year we decided to test his fertility. The results were less than promising and it was suspected that Gugas would never father any infants,” zoo employee Julie Mansell told the press.

It turns out that, rather than being unable to start a family, Gugas was merely waiting for the right time to become a father.

Zoo Borns tells us that the male baby gorilla was born on August 3 to mother Kwanza. Following an online voting contest, it was agreed upon that its name should be “Baako,” which translates as “first-born child.”

The baby gorilla and its mom are already on display, so those who wish to see them need only head over to Belfast Zoo.