Monarto zoo celebrates birth of first baby chimp

South Australia's Monarto zoo is celebrating the birth of its first baby chimpanzee.

First-time mother Zombi, 19, has given birth surrounded by the seven other chimps at the open-range zoo, about 50 kilometres east of Adelaide.

Primates keeper Laura Hanley says when staff arrived at work they found Zombi with the infant but footage showed she'd already given birth about 4am (CST).

"The others all crowded around and helped her with the birth," she said.

"They are now all paying very close attention to her, being curious and trying to touch the baby.

"But Zombi very gently nudges their hand away, so they spend a little time grooming her so they can sneak a touch of the little baby."

The infant's sex isn't known yet and DNA tests will be needed to identify which of the zoo's four males is the father.

However, alpha male Tsotsi is the chief suspect.

Zombi and three other females came to the zoo from a Netherlands zoo in November 2010.

"Mum's feeding and drinking really well, she's holding the baby perfectly ...she's grooming it and being very attentive, and little bub looks really bright and in good condition,'' Ms Hanley said.

Zombi won't breed for at least another five years and her new offspring will stay close to her for about 10 years.

"Chimps are an endangered species so it's great to contribute back to the population and also, genetically, this group is quite important."

The baby has also made its public debut, sitting nicely on Zombi's belly.

A competition will probably be held to find him or her a name.

- AAP