The San Diego Zoo released footage of a baby gorilla just after undergoing a cesarean birth.
The 18-year-old mother gorilla is named Imani, but the focus of the video is the tiny newborn girl who has been fitted with a blue knit hat, the Huffington Post reported.
This was the mother's first pregnancy; her long and difficult labor caused the veterinary experts to determine if an emergency C-section was required in order to save the baby's life.
The surgery was monitored by the "San Diego Zoo Global staff, a veterinary surgeon and even human neonatal specialists from UCSD Medical Center," the news release reported.
"In retrospect the c-section was the right decision," Nadine Lamberski, associate director of veterinary services at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park said in a statement posted on Flickr. "We think the health of the fetus would have been compromised if we delayed the surgery any longer."
Gorilla births are usually quck and without complications because gorillas are large and give birth to very small babies; in this case something went wrong, the Huffington Post reported.
The baby was born full-term at 4.6 pounds and is showing some complications as a result of the labor difficulties.
The newborn is the 17th gorilla to be born at the zoo.
"The Safari Park is home to eight gorillas, including the new baby. There are four females: Vila, Kamilah, Kokamo, and Imani; two young males: Monroe, born at the Safari Park in 2011, and Frank, born at the San Diego Zoo in 2008; and adult male Winston, the silverback leader of the troop," the news release reported.
"Our thoughts are with Imani, her baby girl, & the dedicated staff at the @sdzsafaripark. Get well soon!" The San Diego Zoo tweeted. Earlier the zoo had tweeted that the baby was "guarded and under constant care."
WATCH:
