Adorable moment two brother gorillas are captured play-fighting and cuddling at Prague Zoo before being interrupted by an annoyed silverback
- Kiburi and his younger brother Ajabu were filmed by a customer at the zoo
- They were playing around in their enclosure before having a tender embrace
- The apes were briefly interrupted by a disgruntled adult male silverback
The adorable moment two young gorillas hug each other in a sweet embrace has been captured on film.
It was snapped by a visitor to Prague Zoo earlier this week.
The brothers were play-fighting before and after their sweet moment.
Primates, including gorillas, have complex social structures and rely on physical contact to establish strong relationships.
The adorable moment two young gorillas hug each other in a sweet embrace has been captured on film (pictured)
Ajabu (pictured) and his older brother were seen running around their zoo enclosure and play-fighting
Keen wildlife enthusiast and Zoo regular Lucie Stepnickova photographed Kiburi and his younger brother Ajabu on January 26 at Prague Zoo, Prague, Chech Republic.
After playing around for a while, the pair of primates take a break from the wrestling and play-fighting to share a sweet cuddle.
Ms said: ‘Ajabu is very fond of Kiburi. He loves playing with him, although he usually catches a few rough blows and thanks to his brother he flies through the pavilion.
‘But it’s amazing to see Ajabu come to Kiburi after that, and snuggle together.
‘Kiburi embraces him tenderly and protective, lovingly caring for his younger brother, who often falls asleep.’
The lively males are seen play-fighting in their enclosure, using props such as a chest, logs and hammocks.
Footage also captures the moment a large silver-backed male gorilla strolls over to the siblings to interrupt their monkey business and break up the play fighting.
The youngsters instantly calm down and split as the adult male chastises them.
Keen wildlife enthusiast and Zoo regular Lucie Stepnickova photographed Kiburi and his younger brother Ajabu on January 26th at Pargue Zoo, Prague, Chech Republic
The lively males are seen play-fighting in their enclosure, using props such as a chest, logs and hammocks to entertain themselves
Footage also spots the moment a large silver-backed male gorilla has had enough of the monkey business and strolls over to the siblings to break up their play fighting (pictured)
WHY ARE PRIMATE NUMBERS DECLINING IN THE WILD?
A study published in January 2017 warned that for most of the world’s 504 primate species, it is now ‘the 11th hour’ on earth – with nearly two thirds facing extinction and 75 per cent of populations in decline.
Researchers have warned the world’s primates are in danger from human activities
Behind the collapse in numbers is an increase in industrial agriculture, large-scale cattle ranching, logging, oil and gas drilling, mining, dam building and road construction.
The illegal trade in bushmeat – killing apes and monkeys for their flesh – is also decimating the animals, as is changing climates and diseases spread from humans to apes.
Growing trees to produce palm oil – used in many popular foods – is a particular threat to primates in Indonesia, as is mining for gold and sapphires in Madagascar.
With many species living in rainforests, the cutting down of millions of acres of forest to supply the increasing demand for timber or to clear land for agriculture is destroying their habitat and making populations more fragmented.