Baby chimpanzee born at Antwerp Zoo for first time in 32 years
A baby chimpanzee was born at Antwerp Zoo on Friday, for the first time in 32 years. According to the zoo, the newborn will bring added dynamism and a lot of playful and nurturing behaviour to the group of chimpanzees, thereby increasing the well-being of the entire group.
Around 11 am this morning, chimpanzee Marit gave birth to a little one at the zoo in Antwerp. She gave birth, as is common for the species, in close proximity to her group mates. It was her first pregnancy and delivery.
According to the Zoo, the little one is doing well and can already be admired by the public. As Marit keeps the infant close to her at all times, its gender has not yet been determined. Who the father is also remains unknown until a DNA test is done. Chimpanzees are known to have multiple sexual partners. Marit is loved by the group's three dominant males, according to the Zoo, and has definitely mated with two of them.
To rejuvenate the group, the two young females Marit and Mia were brought over from a zoo in Sweden four years ago. The zoo in Antwerp expects the group to welcome the further rejuvenation.
The chimpanzee is highly endangered in the wild. The animals occur in West and Central Africa, but are often victims of poachers there and also suffer from habitat loss and disease. Their numbers are estimated at a maximum of 316,000, a figure that continues to decline every year.
#FlandersNewsService | The baby chimp, as yet unnamed, at Antwerp Zoo © PHOTO JONAS VERHULST
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