In pictures: Gorillas explore home after royal opening

Gorillas at Jersey Zoo gave their new enclosure their own seal of approval after it was officially opened by Princess Anne.

Their keeper Aoife O'Mahony said Badongo, the silverback leader of the group, "led the members of the troop in" and all four animals explored it within the first hour " after it was opened.

They took food from the keepers and tested out the climbing frame with some "really nice play behaviours" noticed, O'Mahony said.

She added: "It just gives us the space to do so much more and constantly change their environment."

Curator of mammals Ben Matthews said the enclosure would be a real asset in the winter months and staff will be able to control conditions such as humidity for the gorillas.

Director of zoological operations Mark Habben said the gorillas are popular with visitors because they are "magnificent animals" and people could watch them and "relate to how they behave".

"They integrate in social settings, they play, they explore and they're really inquisitive and I think we can really relate to that," he said.

"They're such a wonderful animal that it's hard not to find that great deal of love for them."

The enclosure is due to open to the public on Tuesday with a celebration day on 30 May.

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