It's a baby chimp! NC Zoo welcomes new addition to its chimpanzee troop

The birth is especially important because the number of chimps in the wild, who are considered endangered, has declined over the years with the destruction of their habitats in the forests of central Africa, according to the zoo. Although numbers are difficult to estimate, the International Union for Conservation of Nature believers there are between 172,000 and 299,000 left in the wild, according to the release.

This is only the third successful chimp birth at an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoos in the past two years. Before Monday’s birth, three infants have been born at the Zoo since 2010: females Nori and Ebi and male Gus, the release says.

The zoo also has been actively involved in wild chimpanzee conservation for more than 15 years in Uganda’s Kibale National Park, which boasts the largest chimpanzee population in East Africa, according to the release. The zoo’s program, UNITE for the Environment, works in partnership with area schools to improve teaching methods, enable teachers to incorporate more environmental topics into the classroom, and help the local community find ways to reduce their impact on Kibale National Park.

“Today is a cause for celebration at the North Carolina Zoo as well as a critical moment in the conservation world," said Susi H. Hamilton, secretary of the N.C. Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources, in the release.

“Every birth is special to us,” said Zoo Director Pat Simmons in the release. “We are thrilled to have this new addition! We hope our guests see the baby as a symbol of how important it is to save chimpanzees in the wild.”

With new 'sensory inclusive' certification, NC Zoo now an easier place to visit for people with sensory disorders

Gerre (Zha’-ree) is around 20 years old and an experienced mother, who is very protective of her young, the zoo says. She is the mother of Genie, who was born on August 25, 2011, at the Dallas Zoo. Both Gerre and Genie came to the North Carolina Zoo from the Dallas Zoo in November 2012.

The NC Zoo is in Asheboro about 90 minutes from the Triangle.