Endangered baby bonobo born in Leicestershire zoo

A zoo has announced an "extraordinary" new arrival - a baby bonobo!

Bonobos are apes who are thought to be the closest living relative to humans, sharing about 98.7% of the same DNA.

Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire said the newborn was born on 11 September to first-time mum Yuli.

The zoo says it's the only one in the UK to care for the species, and looks after about 10% of the European bonobo population.

Bonobos 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".

It was made possible by Twycross Zoo taking part in the European zoo conservation programme, which aims to create a healthy population of the species in zoo environments.

It brought mum Yuli from Vallée des Singes in France to the to the zoo in 2023.

Chief conservation officer at Twycross Zoo Dr Rebecca Biddle called it a "truly extraordinary moment"

Bonobos come from the the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but their population in the wild has been decreasing due to 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."

She also praised the zoos for taking part in the breeding programme, adding: "It is only through the dedication, expertise, and collaboration of conservation zoos that moments like this are possible."