Zoo spokesperson Christina Simmons says the female baby gorilla was in guarded condition Friday, having suffered complications from the birth. But the zoo did tell us that the baby's condition improved slightly overnight.
The full-term baby gorilla was born Wednesday and weighed 4.6 pounds. Right now, she's in intensive care receiving oxygen and fluids.
Simmons says this was the first time veterinarians at the zoo performed the procedure on a gorilla.
The mother gorilla, named Imani, is recovering from surgery as well.
The 18-year-old gorilla went into labor Wednesday. But when the first-time mother showed signs of distress, she was taken to a vet hospital.
Veterinarians were joined by neonatal specialists from University of California San Diego Medical Center.
The baby was the 17th gorilla born at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which is home to eight gorillas, including the new baby.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
