(WBIR-Knoxville) Two of the newest arrivals at the Knoxville Zoo are thriving under their mothers' loving care.
Hope the gorilla gave birth on May 28. Just a few days later, Machi delivered her little gorilla bundle of joy. The babies are siblings, sharing the same father Bantu.
On Monday, zoo officials said the mothers and babies are doing great. The babies are nursing and appear to be healthy and thriving. The mothers are resting as much as they can while caring for the babies.
Zoo officials still haven't been able to determine the sex of the babies, because they spend all of their time cradled in their mothers' arms, and will be for the next several weeks.
Huge crowds are flocking to the zoo to see the now 12 and 6-day-old baby gorillas. Attendance is up by more than 3,000 visitors over the same time last year.
Zoo staffers are taking small groups of visitors to the gorilla viewing area for a peak, to minimize the noise and disturbance for the gorilla family.
