A photographer has captured the adorable moment a lazy young gorilla hitched a ride on her mother’s back before tucking into a feast of fruit and vegetables.
Western Lowland Gorilla, Touni, was snapped carrying her one-year-old daughter Ayana around during feeding time at Bristol Zoo.
Captured by a zoo regular Ayana, who was born at the zoo last year, can be seen back-to-back with her mother gripping on using her hands and feet.
Hitching a ride: This adorable photo shows one-year-old Ayana, a Western Lowland Gorilla, clutching her mother’s back at Bristol Zoo. Staff say Touni is protective of her only child but mellowing as she ages, even playing with other young gorillas
The pair hit the headlines a few months after Ayana was born as her mother would regularly pick her up and lift her onto her shoulders – leaving the youngster facing backwards and seeing the world the ‘wrong way round’.
Alan Toyne, mammal keeper at Bristol Zoo, said: ‘Touni is a first-time mum and came from a very stable group in France so picked up all the essential parenting tips from observing other mothers in the natal group.
‘She is very attentive and protective of Ayana but is relaxing now that she’s getting older and lets her play with our other young gorilla, Afia, for several hours each day.
Strike a pose: One-year-old Ayana looks straight into the camera while tucking into a feast of fruit and veg at Bristol Zoo. Ayana’s mother tolerates her youngster’s antics and even plays with other baby gorillas but staff say she’s a dominant figure
‘Ayana always rides on Touni when the troop move around Gorilla Island.
‘Touni is very confident and playful and, despite her small size, is working her way towards being the most dominant female in our troop.
‘Ayana’s dad is a Silverback called Jock who leads his troop at the zoo. Silverback is the name given to the most dominant, mature and experienced male of the group.
Bite size: Ayana and Touni hit the headlines a few months after the youngster was born and her mum picked her up and lifted her onto her shoulders, leaving the youngster facing backwards and seeing the world the ‘wrong way round’
‘He is responsible for the safety of his troop.’
Touni, who is 10-years-old and arrived at Bristol Zoo from France, will continue to feed her first born until she’s four-years-old.
Bristol Zoo is home to seven Western lowland gorillas who can be viewed through 180-degree glass guest viewing area, as well as out on their grassy island.
Munchies: Bristol Zoo is home to seven Western lowland gorillas who can be viewed through 180-degree glass guest viewing area, as well as out on their grassy island. Ayana’s dad Jock, a large Silverback Gorilla, is responsible for the safety of his troop
In June, another gorilla at Bristol Zoo hit the news as it was discovered he was a she.
Kukena, also a child of ringleader Jock, was born in 2011 and staff noticed a change in her sexual organs and behaviour.
Gorillas are notoriously hard to sex and Kukena has now been placed on a European breeding programme attempting to save her species from dying out.
Western Lowland Gorillas are Critically Endangered in the wild and in Cameroon gorillas and chimpanzees are hunted for their meat and their young are often taken and sold as pets.
Sanctuaries play a vital role in protecting and preserving this species by taking in orphaned chimps and gorillas, giving them medical attention and a safe home.