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Male infant Louna was reunited with his 17 year old mum FouFou after falling ill with a severe bout of gastroenteritis that left him semi-collapsed from dehydration.

Although vital for his recovery, Louna’s 8-day removal from the social group meant that he risked rejection from his mother on his return.

Jane Hopper, Howletts & Port Lympne veterinary surgeon commented: “Reintroducing an infant to a mother after a period of separation as long as 8 days is very difficult and not always successful. It requires patience and commitment on the part of the keepers, and a good maternal instinct on the part of the mother gorilla.”

Louna was returned to his mother late one afternoon. Despite FouFou’s initial lack of interest in her infant, she eventually began to show him some maternal affection at approximately 4am.

Firmly settled back into his family group, Louna’s appetite has returned with a vengeance and he is back to his normal playful self just in time for his birthday on Friday.