Baby Gorilla Born via Rare C-Section (Video)

When San Diego Zoo Safari Park's 18-year-old gorilla, Imani, went into labor Wednesday morning, doctors feared for the birth of her baby as she was not showing any signs of progress during labor. Thus, in this extremely rare case, veterinary staff from the park took matters into their own hands and rushed her to the Safari Park's veterinary hospital, where a team of medical professionals performed an emergency Cesarean section.

As the staff rarely perform C-sections at the zoo, they sought the help of a veterinary surgeon and a human neonatal specialist from the University of California San Diego Medical Center.

"In retrospect the C-section was the right decision," said the park's Associate Director of Veterinary Services Nadine Lamberski, via NBC San Diego. "We think the health of the fetus would have been compromised if we delayed the surgery any longer."

The baby female gorilla was born at 6:30 p.m. and weighs approximately 4.6 pounds. However, due to complications during labor, she will need to be in the intensive care unit to receive extra oxygen and fluids for a short time. The mother is also currently in recovery.

This baby gorilla is the 17^th one to be born at a zoo.

Want to see more of the new baby? Check out this video, courtesy of YouTube.