Updated: 7/21/2008 8:42:11 PM
He wasn't due to make an appearance until the end of the month, but baby George the chimp decided he'd arrive on his own schedule.
Zookeepers at the Knoxville Zoo came in on the morning of July 19 and discovered that George's mom, Daisy had given birth to her son during the night. Her due date was July 29, and Daisy showed no signs of labor before the big event. Chimps have a gestational period of eight months.
The baby may have surprised zookeepers, but the new mother knew exactly what she was doing; when human helpers came on the scene, little George was already cleaned up and dry, and his umbilical cord was severed.
Daisy is busy doing what most new mothers do during the first few weeks. She's getting the hang of nursing her little one, and she's getting some help from her closest friends, fellow chimps Debbie and Julie. However, zookeepers say Daisy still won't let the other female chimps actually touch little George.
Daisy has given birth twice before, at two other zoos, but her last baby was born 20 years ago. She came to Knoxville in 2005 from the Little Rock Zoo, while George's father, Jimbo, arrived in 2006 from the Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo.
Daisy was discovered to be pregnant in February, after having a positive pregnancy test. Previously, she had been kept on birth control.
The name George isn't new to the Knoxville Zoo; the very first chimp ever housed in Knoxville was also named George. The last baby chimp born in Knoxville arrived 20 years ago to mother Kerry, a daughter of the original George.
Zoo visitors won't see the new baby until his mother decides she's ready to show him off by bringing him out into the public display area.
