OPINION - Criminal gangs, illegal logging and Tinder (for gorillas) — this is the story of our newest London Zoo resident

Running London Zoo comes with many privileges, but the most magical moment so far came just recently, when I got to see a newborn gorilla being cradled in the arms of its mother, moments after birth. There was something profoundly moving about this quiet miracle in the heart of London — the arrival of a critically endangered western lowland gorilla to mum Mjukuu and first-time dad Kiburi.

I wasn’t the only one moved. The baby’s siblings have been fascinated by the newest arrival, leaning in to peer more closely and give it a gentle prod. Equally curious and delighted are our visitors, some of whom were fortunate enough to see Mjukuu showing off her new baby within hours of giving birth.