A chimpanzee has died after giving birth in a South Australian zoo but her baby boy has survived.
Nineteen-year-old Soona was found dead shortly after giving birth at Monarto Zoo, east of Adelaide, between Thursday night and Friday morning.
She died from complications during labour but her baby boy survived and has been adopted by fellow expectant mum, Zombi.
"One of our other chimps has taken on mothering duties and is caring for the little infant, who appears to be fit and well," Zoos SA chief executive Elaine Bensted told AAP on Friday.
Ms Bensted said everyone was shocked and devastated by Soona's death.
"All the staff and volunteers were very hopeful for a positive news story. To lose any animal is incredibly heartbreaking," she said.
A post mortem examination is being performed and the zoo's chimpanzee platform has been temporarily closed to the public.
