The tiny western lowland gorilla was born at Bristol zoo weighing just one kilogram.
A team of vets, a medical professor and a local gynaecologist performed the emergency caesarean after the mother showed symptoms of potentially life-threatening pre-eclampsia.
It was a procedure that had only been carried out a handful of times worldwide.
Both the yet-to-be-named baby girl and her mother, Kera, are being closely monitored by a team of experienced gorilla keepers and veterinary staff.