AN ENDANGERED gorilla at Philadelphia Zoo in the US has given birth to a healthy baby after doctors who normally deliver humans were called in following a 24-hour labour.

Staff feared for the safety of 17-year-old Kira when she became unwell after going into labour last Thursday.

9 When Kira, 17, went into labour at Philadelphia Zoo last Thursday it what was expected to be a quick procedure Credit: Philadelphia Zoo

9 Doctors more used to treating humans from two universities in the city were called to help when the labour went beyond 24-hours Credit: AP

9 There have been several successful cesarean section deliveries for gorillas over the past few years, but this assisted delivery is not common according to the zoo Credit: Philadelphia Zoo

9 After one hour, the the team delivered the male baby using forceps and an episiotomy, a procedure to enlarge the birth opening Credit: Philadelphia Zoo

9 The adorable baby gorilla, which was delivered with help from doctors more used to treating humans Credit: Philadelphia Zoo

9 Mother Kira was quickly reunited with her first baby after the ordeal, and they haven't been apart since Credit: Philadelphia Zoo

A special team of doctors who normally treat people and veterinarians were drafted in from Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Pennsylvania and its veterinary medicine school.

Using forceps and an episiotomy, a procedure to enlarge the birth opening, the emergency medics managed to deliver the newborn in just one hour.

Kira is a Western lowland gorilla, which live in African forests and are classed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

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Andy Baker, the zoo's chief operating officer, said: "It was an anxious and dramatic day but in the end a tremendously rewarding one."

There have been several successful cesarean section deliveries for gorillas at the zoo, but this assisted delivery is uncommon.

Kira was reunited with the baby by Saturday morning and has been continuously cradling and nursing him.

9 The mother and baby have been inseparable since being reunited with Kira constantly cradling and nursing him Credit: AP

9 The newly born western lowland gorilla rests on its mother Kira in Philadelphia Credit: AP

9 It was feared the mother and baby might not have survived the labour at one stage Credit: Philadelphia Zoo

Mr Baker added: "Though Kira is a first-time mom, we’re not surprised she’s acting like an expert already.

"She was a great older sister to younger siblings.

“Everybody is excited about these two future playmates.”

This is a third offspring for 32-year old father Motuba, who is also a dad to baby Amani, a female born at the zoo last August.

At a Devon zoo, a majestic gorilla has been snapped leaping into the air like a professional ballet dancer, while a notoriously grumpy gorilla in Wiltshire wasn't happy when a goose invaded his territory.

In the wild, a terrified tourist captured the moment trekkers were attacked by a rampaging silverback gorilla.

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