(WBIR) The Knoxville Zoo welcomed a new member to its gorilla family early Thursday morning. The zoo announced that Hope the gorilla gave birth around 2:30 a.m. They say so far, everything is going well with baby and mom.
Earlier this week, the zoo went on 24-hour 'baby watch' as they waited for the first of their two pregnant gorillas to give birth. Zoo officials said Bantu, a male gorilla, was introduced to the females last summer. It wasn't long before they became pregnant.
Visitors will have to wait before they can see the new baby. According to a post on its Facebook page, the zoo closed off the gorilla courtyard to "give the family some privacy."
Zoo officials told WBIR 10News they likely won't know the sex of the baby for a few days because they don't want to disturb the baby and mother.
It's been years since a gorilla was born in captivity in Tennessee, according to zoo officials.
The zoo believes Machi, the other pregnant gorilla, will probably give birth in early June.
