The UK’s only Bonobo Baby born at Twycross Zoo

Today (18.09.25), UK conservation charity Twycross Zoo has announced the successful birth of an endangered bonobo – human’s closest living relative.

Marking a significant moment for global conservation efforts, the newborn bonobo, arrived safely on Thursday 11 September, to first-time mum, 11-year-old ‘Yuli’ as part of a coordinated conservation programme for the endangered species.

Twycross Zoo is the only UK zoo to care for this species, and as part the European zoo conservation programme, it cares for 10% of the European population.

The first-time mum, 11-year-old ‘Yuli’, arrived to Twycross Zoo from Vallée Des Singes as part of the European-led conservation programme in 2023. The programme, which is a collaborative effort between EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) member zoos’, aims to create a genetically diverse and healthy population of the species in zoo-care, in support of their wild counterparts.

Bonobos, which are listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, are humans closest living relatives, sharing more than 98% of our DNA. In the wild, their population is decreasing, due to many human-caused threats such as poaching, and deforestation; without the work of zoo’s like Twycross and other organisations, it is very likely the species could go extinct in the near future.

The species is also a highly unique primate, due to their matriarchal society. Typically, primate troops are led by a dominant male, but bonobos are one of few primate species, and the only great ape to live in female-led societies, making them even more interesting.

Dr Rebecca Biddle, Chief Conservation Officer at Twycross Zoo and Vice Chair of EAZA, said: “The birth of this baby bonobo is a truly extraordinary moment, not just for Twycross Zoo, but globally.

“Bonobos are human’s 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 together.

“It is only through the dedication, expertise, and collaboration of conservation zoos, that moments like this are possible. As 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.

“The 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.”

Beyond caring for the species in the zoo, Twycross Zoo’s conservation efforts for this endangered species span across the world, through its partnership with ‘Friends of Bonobo’. The charity zoo provides expertise and resource in the field, to ensure every possible chance of survival for bonobos, who are only found in the wild in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Visitors to Twycross Zoo now have the unique chance to see, and support the UK’s only bonobo family, including the newest addition, as part of the zoo’s mission to inspire and educate people about the urgent need to protect species at risk of extinction. As a charity organisation, every visit to Twycross Zoo makes a difference, and directly supports their conservation work to save wildlife globally.

The baby can already be seen by visitors to Twycross Zoo, where he remains safely in mums’ arms, offering them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness one of the rarest newborns in the world.