The birth of the UK's only baby bonobo has been celebrated in Leicestershire . Conservationists say it could be a "milestone" moment in saving the endangered species from extinction.

Photos show first-time mum 11-year-old Yuli cradling her tiny new born after it was born at Twycross Zoo last Thursday (September 11). 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 Zoo is the only UK zoo to care for the species and says the new arrival is probably "one of the rarest newborns in the world". Mum Yuli arrived at Twycross Zoo from Vallée Des Singes in France as part of the European-led conservation programme in 2023.

Bonobos are listed as ‘endangered’ (Image: Adam Kay)

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