Chimpanzee Mahale gave birth to a baby boy at 12:48 p.m. Nov. 15, via C-section.
After laboring through the morning, the animal care team noticed changes in her progress and the decision was made to intervene surgically.
Drs. Laura Whisler and Janna Chibry of College Hill OB-GYN were on hand to perform the cesarean section with the Zoo’s veterinary team. The pair have consulted with Sedgwick County Zoo veterinarians on all great ape pregnancies for the past decade – most recently delivering Sumatran Orangutan Lily via C-section in 2018.
Mahale is recovering very well behind-the-scenes. Baby received treatment and bottle feedings from the animal care team overnight due to low oxygen levels. Today, he is doing very well and the team feels that he’ll be ready to be reunited with mom very soon. Mom and baby will remain behind-the-scenes until it’s clear that they are both healthy and bonded.
