Wellington Zoo have announced a healthy baby chimpanzee is the newest addition to the Zoo's whānau.
The as-yet unnamed female was born in the early hours of Good Friday to first-time mum Malika.
Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo primate team leader Harmony Neale said it was a "wonderful surprise" to arrive at work on Friday and discover that Malika had delivered the baby herself overnight.
While a few weeks premature, Neale said she was "doing well".
"We suspect she's about three weeks prem. It was touch and go for the first few days, but Malika has worked hard to make sure her baby is feeding and resting as much as possible," she said.
"It’s been so lovely watching Malika take to motherhood so naturally, and her efforts being rewarded with a baby that’s getting stronger by the day."
Neale said the rest of the chimpanzee troop had welcomed the new arrival.
"The other chimps in the troop are quite inquisitive but they’re also very good at giving Malika and her baby the space they need.
"Akida is a bit jealous though; he's only four and isn't used to not being the baby of the troop and the centre of attention anymore."
The baby's name would be confirmed after consultation with the zoo’s international conservation partner, Fauna and Flora Liberia Programme. The zoo would then invite the Wellington community to help choose a name.
Visitors might catch a glimpse of the baby chimp next time they visit, with the most likely time during daily chimp talks at 12.45pm.
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