Endangered bonobo born in 'extraordinary moment'

The newborn was delivered to first-time mum Yuli on 11 September

A zoo has announced the successful birth of a bonobo, an ape described as the closest living relative to humans.

Twycross Zoo said the newborn was delivered safely on 11 September to first-time mum Yuli at its site in Leicestershire.

Bonobos - which share about 98.7% of their DNA with humans - are on the red list of endangered species, meaning they are at high risk of global extinction, with fewer than 20,000 remaining in the wild.

Dr Rebecca Biddle, chief conservation officer at Twycross Zoo, said the birth was a "truly extraordinary moment".

Twycross Zoo said it was the only zoo in the UK to care for the species.

As part of the European zoo conservation programme, it cares for 10% of the European bonobo population.

Yuli arrived at Twycross Zoo from Vallée des Singes, in France, as part of the European-led conservation programme in 2023.

Bonobos are humans' closest living relatives

The zoo said the programme aimed to create a healthy population of the species in zoo environments, as their population in the wild - in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - was decreasing due to threats such as poaching and deforestation.

Dr Biddle said: "Bonobos are humans' closest living relatives, yet they remain one of the most endangered and least understood apes on Earth.

"Every birth is a true milestone and a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when zoos work together.

"It is only through the dedication, expertise, and collaboration of conservation zoos that moments like this are possible."