'Charismatic' gorilla joins Jersey Zoo troop

Jersey Zoo has welcomed a new gorilla for the first time in 15 years, after recently opening a new gorilla house.

Afia, a 10-year-old female gorilla, came from Bristol Zoo where she was born in 2016.

The new addition made headlines when she was born by caesarean, and is the granddaughter of the world's only known white gorilla, Snowflake.

Mark Habben, director of zoo operations at Jersey Zoo, said Afia's story had been "extraordinary from the very beginning", adding moves like this were "an important part" of ensuring a healthy future for western lowland gorillas.

Afia, the first gorilla to join the Jersey troop since 2011, joins Badongo, Bahasha, Hlala Kahilli and Amari, and will initially be settling in behind the scenes in a purpose built off-show area, zoo staff said.

To help her settle into her new life in Jersey, the team from Bristol Zoo Project travelled over with Afia and will support the keepers at Jersey Zoo with her gradual introduction to Badongo and then the rest of the troop.

Habben said he hoped Afia settled in well and would one day raise her own young at the zoo.

"Our new gorilla habitat has been designed to give the troop as much choice and freedom as possible. We're looking forward to watching Afia explore her new home and become part of the group," he said.

Sarah Gedman, the curator at the Bristol Zoo Project, said despite the challenges Afia faced at the start of her life, she had "absolutely flourished" and had become an important part of the species' breeding programme.

She said: "As Afia has reached adulthood, we've always known the time would come for her to move on and hopefully start a family of her own.

"For me personally, it feels like a real full circle moment. I was there when Afia was born almost 10 years ago, and now I've travelled to Jersey and am helping her settle into her new home."

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