'JOYFUL SIGN OF HOPE'

BIRTH OF ENDANGERED BONOBO HAILED BY CONSERVATION EXPERTS

- By SAM KALANTZIS

THE birth of a bonobo at Twycross Zoo has been hailed as milestone in efforts to save the endangered species from extinction.

Photos show first-time mum Yuli cradling her tiny offspring - the only baby bonobo in the UK - after it was born at the zoo on Thursday last week.

Experts have hailed the birth as a "globally significant" moment which could help save one of the world's rarest apes and human's closest living relative.

Twycross is the only UK zoo to care for the species, and a spokeswoman said the new arrival is probably "one of the rarest newborns in the world".

Mum Yuli, who is aged 11, arrived at Twycross Zoo from Vallée Des Singes in France as part of the European-led conservation programme in 2023.