Bhubaneswar, Oct 14 (IANS) Bringing cheers to conservationists, a chimpanzee Wednesday gave birth to a female at Nandankanan zoo in Orissa.
“Nine-year-old chimpanzee Purnima gave birth to a female today (Wednesday). The zoo staff spotted her baby during the routine check,” Nandankanan zoo Deputy Director S. Mohapatra told IANS.

“Both the baby and mother are in good health,” he said.

The zoo, located on the outskirts of Orissa capital Bhubaneswar, already houses two female chimps - 19-year-old Pampeta and nine-year-old Purnima - and one male 20-year-old Julu.

Chimpanzees are advanced primates native to Africa. They resemble humans in many ways and provide an important link to our evolutionary history. However, they are in danger of extinction.

Nandankanan zoo, which got its name from Nandan Van, the Garden of God, is spread over an area of 425 hectares and houses over 1,200 wild animals and offers a first-of-its-kind white tiger safari.