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A baby gorilla from a critically-endangered species has been born as part of a special breeding programme at London Zoo.

The primate, a Western lowland gorilla, was welcomed by zoo keepers yesterday morning.

Pictures and video released by ZSL London Zoo showed it suckling the breast of 15-year-old mother Mjukuu in the zoo's gorilla enclosure.

The baby is Mjukuu's second child and the first child of silverback male Kumbuka, who arrived from Paignton Zoo in May 2013.

Gorilla keeper Daniel Simmonds said: “We are thrilled with the birth of a baby gorilla here at ZSL London Zoo and mum and infant are both doing really well.

“Mjukuu gave birth overnight, surrounded by the rest of the troop – who all seem very pleased, and quite intrigued, by the new arrival.

“Western-lowland gorillas are critically endangered in the wild, so this infant is a really important addition not only to the Zoo, but for the European conservation breeding programme.”

Zoo staff will now leave Mjukuu with her new baby for a few days in order to allow them to bond, a zoo spokesman said.