News / Animals
Afia the gorilla celebrates six months
Bristol Zoo’s six-month-old gorilla Afia is being cared for by a team of keepers and a surrogate gorilla mother as her own mother Kera continues to recover from severe anaemia.
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Afia took a ride on one of her keepers’ backs on Gorilla Island this week as visitors were granted a glimpse.
Born on February 12 this year, Afia is becoming both strong and vocal. She was seen playing with straw and sticks, as well as nibbling her keeper’s hair.
Her keepers attempt to simulate the behaviour of gorillas, encouraging her to investigate things in her enclosure.
Her keeper wore a baggy string vest to simulate the fur of Afia’s mother, and allowed her to climb and hold on to her as she would do in the wild.
She has become fascinated with faces and studies not only her keepers’ faces but also those of the other gorillas.
Sarah Gedman, one of Afia’s keepers, said: “Afia is doing extremely well and is exactly where we would expect her to be in regards to development and health.”
As Afia grows, keepers will assess when she should be introduced to the rest of the gorilla troop. For the moment, Afia continues to command the limelight as she takes her daily half-hour tours with her keepers.
Read more: Celebrations and memories of Bristol Zoo