Gorilla baby Makari steps out from mum's shadow

He's got a cheeky grin and big brown eyes to melt the hardest of hearts, Blackpool Zoo's tiny new gorilla Makari is starting to take his first steps into the wider world as he turns five months old.
Makari, the western lowland gorilla, born at Blackpool Zoo - now five months oldMakari, the western lowland gorilla, born at Blackpool Zoo - now five months old
Makari, the western lowland gorilla, born at Blackpool Zoo - now five months old

The baby western lowland gorilla, who was born on September 5 2017, has been spotted sitting up and moving around the enclosure under the watchful eye of mum Miliki, 22, and dad of three Bukavu, 20.

Big sister Meisie, now seven - the first western lowland gorilla born at Blackpool, has been keeping her distance from her little brother, baring the odd sniff.

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But half brother Moanda, aged five, to mum Njema, 24, has been keen to get to know his sibling.

Makari, the western lowland gorilla, born at Blackpool Zoo - now five months oldMakari, the western lowland gorilla, born at Blackpool Zoo - now five months old
Makari, the western lowland gorilla, born at Blackpool Zoo - now five months old

Acting section head of primates Simon Childs said: “When Makari arrived in September we were all over the moon.

“As it is Miliki’s second baby we already knew she would be a great mother and she has certainly stayed true to form.

“She is also spending much more time with Bukavu since the birth, meaning the little one has lots of bonding time with dad.

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“We have recently seen him wobbling cautiously over to his father to play with the hair on his arms, which Bukavu doesn’t seem to mind.

Makari, the western lowland gorilla, born at Blackpool Zoo - now five months old, with mum MilikiMakari, the western lowland gorilla, born at Blackpool Zoo - now five months old, with mum Miliki
Makari, the western lowland gorilla, born at Blackpool Zoo - now five months old, with mum Miliki

“It’s so wonderful to see the family all together, they are such a content group, which is testament to the great job all the keepers here do.”

Blackpool Zoo is home to six of the endangered western lowland gorillas, which originally hail from Angola, Cameroon and Central African Republic among other places.

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