VIDEO: Lincoln Park Zoo's Newest Baby Gorilla Is Objectively The Cutest Thing Ever
As a journalist, it can often be difficult to balance facts and point of view in a story to deliver an ethical and objective view for the reader. Thankfully, in the case of the baby lowland gorilla born at Lincoln Park Zoo on February 24th, this isn't a problem -- she is objectively the cutest thing ever.
Sure, the lowland gorilla recently born at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is super cute, but no one can deny that the daughter of Lincoln Park Zoo's Bahati, a 27-year-old gorilla, has the most perfect little face and the most cutest little baby eyes.
Critically endangered in central Africa, western lowland gorillas have fallen victim to both habitat loss and poaching. Thanks to state-of-the-art resources, Lincoln Park Zoo's ape program is considered one of the best in the world, which bodes well for their newest baby gorilla, who is far cuter than any human babies born on February 24th.
This is Bahati's first offspring since 2004, and both she and the baby are doing well. The father of the infant is the silverback of the lowland gorilla family group at Lincoln Park Zoo, Kwan, 25. He's a pretty good guy.
"As with any birth, we are cautiously optimistic about the latest arrival. Bahati is an experienced mother whose maternal instincts are what we would hope to see with a newborn gorilla," said Maureen Leahy, curator of primates.
Zookeepers will keep a close eye on Bahati and baby for the first few weeks, which are critical for survival of newborn gorillas.
According to the zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo Members can see Bahati, her baby and the rest of the family group at a special member preview Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. – noon. General zoo guests can see the gorilla group on exhibit at Regenstein Center for African Apes beginning Feb. 28 at noon. Regenstein Center for African Apes will then be open daily from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Read more about the cutest thing ever at LPZoo.org.
(Photo Credit: © Todd Rosenberg Photography 2015)
Mason Johnson is a Web Content Producer for CBS Chicago. You can find him on Twitter.