By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


Tragic: Tiny, seen here taking his first steps with his mother's help, died after a tussle with new silverback male Kesho


London Zoo's infant gorilla, nicknamed 'Tiny' by keepers, has died, it was announced today.

The development is the latest tragedy to hit the group of gorillas who live at the world famous site, in Regent's Park, after the deaths of two adult males in recent years.

Tiny, who was seven-months old, was the first gorilla born at the zoo in 22 years. He died after being injured by new silverback male, Kesho.


Careful: London Zoo had hoped the male gorilla would be a surrogate parent to the baby whose biological father died last year


Keepers had hoped Kesho would be a surrogate parent to the youngster after the death of his biological father Yeboah.

They had hoped the new silverback, who arrived last August, would bring balance and stability to the group following the tragedies.

While he had been gradually introduced to two of the females, Effie and Zaire, keepers waited until they were confident of a successful introduction to Tiny and his mother Mjukuu.

The first meeting on Wednesday ‘went very well’, according to the The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), but at a second attempt on Thursday Kesho asserted his authority.


New kid on the block: Staff had hoped Kesho would accept the new baby and integrate with the three female gorillas who live at the zoo


During a scuffle between the whole group, Tiny’s arm was seriously injured.

The gorillas were immediately separated, and the baby was taken to the on-site vet hospital, where it was confirmed his arm was broken and a three-hour operation to pin it began.

When vets brought him off the anaesthetic he was unable to breathe by himself, and vets suspected he had also sustained internal injuries during the scuffle.


Male gorilla Yeboah (left) died suddenly from diabetes in March 2010 – just five months after arriving at the zoo while his predecessor Bobby (right) also died unexpectedly in December 2008 following a heart attack


‘Everyone here is utterly devastated. Although we had tried to be prepared for the worst, we are all completely heartbroken by this.’

Keepers returned the baby’s body to Mjukuu so she could come to terms with his death.


Habitat:The group live at Gorilla Kingdom at London Zoo which has been designed to keep its inhabitants entertained




source: dailymail