![\"**ONLINE](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SEI_266487002-359f.jpg\")
\n\t\tThis is one of the rarest newborns in the world (Picture: Adam Kay \/ Twycross Zoo \/ SWNS)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tThis is one of the rarest newborns in the world (Picture: Adam Kay \/ Twycross Zoo \/ SWNS)<\/p>\n
He is one of the rarest newborns in the world.<\/p>\n
A British zoo has unveiled the birth of a baby bonobo in a \u2018truly extraordinary moment\u2019 for the endangered species.<\/p>\n
Mother Yuli gave birth to the newborn on September 11 at Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bonobos \u2013 which share about 98.7% of their DNA with humans \u2013 number as few as 20,000 in the wild.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t\t\tSign up for all of the latest stories\t\t\t<\/p>\n Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates<\/a> newsletter or get Breaking News<\/a> alerts the moment it happens. <\/p>\n They are on the red list of endangered species and are at high risk of extinction after decades of poaching and deforestation.<\/p>\n The new bonobo arrival has excited experts working towards the species\u2019 survival.<\/p>\n Dr Rebecca Biddle, chief conservation officer at Twycross Zoo, said: \u2018The birth of this baby bonobo is a truly extraordinary moment, not just for Twycross Zoo, but globally.<\/p>\n \u2018Bonobos are human\u2019s closest living relatives, yet they remain one of the most endangered and least understood apes on Earth. Every birth is a true milestone and a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when zoos work<\/a> together.<\/p>\n \u2018It is only through the dedication, expertise, and collaboration of conservation zoos, that moments like this are possible. <\/p>\n \u2018As the only UK zoo caring for bonobos, here at Twycross Zoo, we are immensely proud and feel a great responsibility to play our part in protecting this incredible species.<\/p>\n \u2018The arrival of this baby is not just a joyful sign of hope, but a vital step forward to ensuring bonobos have a future for generations to come.\u2019<\/p>\n Twycross is the only zoo in the UK to care for the endangered animals and is home to 10 per cent of the European population.<\/p>\n The baby bamboo is already viewable for tourists and zoogoers, where he is tightly in his mother\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t\t\tFacts about bonobos\t\t\t<\/p>\n Bonobos, or Pan paniscus, are the closest living relatives to human beings, alongside chimpanzees.<\/p>\n The animals often live in female-led societies and are more peaceful than their chimpanzee counterparts.<\/p>\n Sex is also crucial in bonobo society. They are known to trade sexual acts for food or favours and use sex to solve conflicts.<\/p>\n In the wild, bonobos can only be found in forests south of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo.<\/p>\n Much is still not known about the endangered species.<\/p>\n Their remote habitat and years of civil unrest in the DRC has meant efforts to survey bonobos has been difficult.<\/p>\n Their population is thought to have been on the decline for the last 30 years.<\/p>\n Experts predict that population will continue to fall for the next 45 to 55 years.<\/p>\n Proud mum Yuli, 11, came to Twycross in 2023 from Vall\u00e9e Des Singes in France<\/a> as part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria conservation programme.<\/p>\n The programme\u2019s goal is to foster a healthy and genetically diverse population of the species in zoo care, complementing their wild counterparts.<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more stories like this, check our news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"**ONLINE](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SEI_266487006-07b1.jpg\")
\n\t\tMother Yuri came to the UK in 2023 (Picture: Adam Kay \/ Twycross Zoo \/ SWNS)<\/p>\n![\"**ONLINE](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SEI_266487001-bc3e.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe baby bonobo is a significant moment in the survival of the species (Picture: Adam Kay \/ Twycross Zoo \/ SWNS)<\/p>\n
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