Animal world Baby chimpanzee Wasili was born at Basel Zoo
The female chimpanzee Kitoko has given birth to a young animal at Basel Zoo. The newborn female, named Wasili, is doing well. The name means "arrival" in Swahili, as the zoo announced on Wednesday.
02.04.2025, 11:41
SDA
The chimpanzee girl was born on the night of March 17. This is the fifth offspring for 31-year-old Kitoko. A few years ago, she also "adopted" a cub from her sister, who was unable to look after the baby for health reasons, according to the zoo.
Wasili's father is 21-year-old Kume. The chimpanzee group at Basel Zoo now consists of 16 animals. There are three males, twelve females and now a newborn, according to the communiqué.
Young chimpanzees are initially carried by their mother and later also by the other family members. The so-called Moro reflex sets in immediately after birth. This ensures that the baby chimpanzee clings to the mother's fur with its hands and feet.
Wasili will therefore spend the following months on her mother's belly. Only later will the young chimpanzees dare to climb onto her back and explore their surroundings, according to the report.
