Adorable baby chimpanzee named Lili is born at Florida Safari Park, and conservationists hail the rare ape’s arrival as vital to stave off extinction
- A baby chimp was born at Lion Country Safari and was the second baby chimp to be born there in just over a year
- The baby, named Lili after the Tonkolili chimpanzee project in Sierra Leone, lives with his mother on the island habitats in the reserve
- Their birth is significant due to the status of chimpanzees in the wild and the low number of births in the population
A baby chimpanzee was born at a Florida safari park, becoming the second chimpanzee to be born there in just over a year.
The baby, named Lili after the Tonkolili chimpanzee project in Sierra Leone, can now be seen with his mother in the island habitats at a sanctuary at Lion Country Safari Park in Loxahatchee, near West Palm Beach.
Lili’s birth is of particular importance due to the current status of chimpanzees in the wild and the current low number of births in the population.
Wild chimpanzees face a very high risk of extinction in the near future due to threats such as hunting, habitat loss and destruction from industrial logging, agricultural expansion, and disease.
Lili’s birth is part of a Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan (SSP), a national effort to save the species from extinction.
A baby chimp named Lili was born at Lion Country Safari, becoming the second baby chimp born there in just over a year
The baby, named Lili after the Tonkolili chimpanzee project in Sierra Leone, can now be seen in the island habitats at a wildlife sanctuary at Lion Country Safari Park alongside his mother Juniper
Baby chimpanzee roams at Lion Country Safari near West Palm Beach, Florida
Lion Country Safari is home to 17 chimpanzees and is proud to be involved with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan and the Chimpanzee Rescue Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program
Lili is part of a family with five other chimpanzees, including one-year-old Tonk, who has already shown interest in the new baby.
While Juniper, Lili’s mother, is not yet comfortable with Tonk or the other chimpanzees touching Lili, she still plays with Tonk while holding Lili close to her chest.
Juniper, who is usually shy and reserved around people, surprised her care team by showing them off her new baby.
Chimpanzees have a gestation period of around eight months and typically weigh around 4 pounds at birth.
Infants repeatedly cling to their mothers for the first few years, but remain very close to each other for the first four months before gradually becoming more independent.
Chimpanzees are classified as critically endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in some regions, with populations declining due to various factors including habitat loss, poaching and disease.
Lion Country Safari is home to 17 chimpanzees and is proud to be involved with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan and the Chimpanzee Rescue Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program.
Mom, Juniper runs with Lili clutching her tummy while the family group plays together
Irene, Lili’s aunt, looks over a box with her one-year-old son Tonk on her back as the family group play together in photos released on Saturday. Wildlife sanctuary workers said this is the second baby chimpanzee born at the facility in just over a year
Mom, Juniper, runs with Lili who clings to her tummy while the family group plays together. Birth is particularly rare and important for the conservation of the species
Lili, is making her debut on the island habitats on the reservation. Guests driving through the safari can see her clinging to mom. Officials said due to the status of chimpanzees in the wild and the low number of births in the population, birth is particularly rare
Lili is named after the Tonkolili Chimpanzee Project, a conservation initiative in Sierra Leone
African giraffes next to a pickup truck camouflaged with zebra stripes at the Lion Country Safari