The bond between mother and baby is beyond strong. From the moment we first held our newborn babies in our arms, we were captivated. We knew that life would never be the same. Our priorities had changed. Caring for the new baby became our top priority.

Humans certainly aren’t the only ones who have a strong bond with their children. At the Dublin Zoo, first time mom, Kafi, has been taking extremely good care of her newborn baby ever since he or she (we don’t know the gender yet) was born.

Kafi is a gorilla who lives at the zoo, and even though this is her first child, she was well prepared to become a mom. She saw other gorillas have babies and care for them. She observed carefully and used that knowledge with her instincts to love and nurture her baby. In fact, we don’t know the baby’s gender yet because she’s been holding her baby so close.

Helen Clarke-Bennett, team leader of the African Plains at Dublin Zoo, said, “Kafi is doing a fantastic job so far as a first-time mother, keeping the young baby physically close in these crucial early stages. Bangui is proving to be an attentive father and at night has been sleeping close to Kafi and the baby. Kafi seems comfortable and at ease and we expect her to mix with the rest of the gorilla troop very soon.”

Although Kafi doesn’t want to let go of her baby (and why should she?), she is excited to show off her newborn. Visitors to the zoo can see Kafi proudly holding her baby. She smiles from ear to ear, definitely pleased with her new role as mother and excited for everyone to share in her joy.

We have to think that if Kafi were a human she’d be posting daily pictures of her baby and selfies with her baby on social media, but since Kafi isn’t a human, the humans who visit her can take and post the pictures on her behalf.

The birth of any baby is exciting, but the birth of a baby gorilla is something extra special. According to the Dublin Zoo, western lowland gorillas are expected to experience a significant drop in numbers between 1980 and 2046. We’re talking an 80% drop. This is due in large part to hunting, deforestation and the Ebola virus.

We’re certainly excited that a new baby gorilla has been born and that her parents are doing such an amazing job.