Video - Offbeat: Eight-month-old gorilla meets 36-year-old female at zoo

The infant, who has been raised behind-the-scenes since birth, took the huge step in meeting the Zoo's 36-year-old female, Romina, while her keepers watched on.

According to keepers, who have been monitoring closely, the pair are getting on well and are now spending 24-hours a day together.

It is a huge feat for the Zoo’s gorilla keepers who have dedicated their time to caring for Afia since her birth in February this year.

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Bristol Zoo’s Curator of Mammals, Lynsey Bugg, said: “Since day one of Afia’s hand rearing, we have been planning on introducing Afia into the group within her first year to avoid imprinting and a lack of knowledge of gorilla-specific behaviour later in life.

“We had strong indications that both Romina and Afia were ready – Afia was physically and mentally strong enough and Romina was enjoying watching her through the mesh.

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