Bristol Zoo has said a six-month-old gorilla being cared for by keepers in lieu of its mother is making good progress.
Hasani was born last August, but is being cared for round-the-clock by keepers after his mother, Kala, found raising him challenging.
Weighing in at six kilos, the little one is being bottle-fed milk over five feeds throughout the day – but no longer needs to be fed at night.
“Hasani can get himself around nicely now. He’s becoming much more confident in exploring on his own,” said Lynsey Bugg, curator of mammals at Bristol Zoo Gardens.
Hasani, a western lowland gorilla, is being reintroduced gradually to the seven others of his species at the zoo – peering at his peers through a mesh with his keepers.
“They quite enjoy sitting with him whilst he climbs on the mesh between them.
“We are spending time with him in all areas of the Gorilla Island exhibit so he will get used to the island ready for when he goes back to live with the group, hopefully later this year.”
