DJALTA, the eldest of the seven captive-born gorillas, has delighted his carers in Gabon by climbing up about 25ft in the trees.

The five-year-old gorilla has been swinging through the branches in his new home in the wild, to the amazement of head gorilla keeper Colin Angus.

Having spent the longest time in captivity it was thought the older gorillas would find it more difficult to settle. Djalta was unsure at first but he's since proved age is no barrier.

Kwibi, the second eldest of the gorillas, has been finding it a little tougher and needed extra help and comfort during her first few days.

Mr Angus said: "The two older ones took a little bit longer simply because they are older. Kwibi had quite a hard time in the first week and wanted to be carried everywhere, and at 30-something kilos that's not a lot of fun.

"But we've got them all walking now and Kwibi has cheered up at bit. At first he went into a sulk. It was 'I don't like it here, I'm not climbing, I'm not eating leaves'. He was just sulking.

"He's picked up now but it's just going to take a bit of time."

Of the group it is the two youngest, Ima and Kido, that have settled in the best, and the middle three Djaltam, Ama and Kiba are also doing well.

Mr Angus said: "The two smallest boys are completely fine and just taking it all in their stride and the middle three are good too.

"When they are climbing sometimes they come crashing down through the branches, but they can't actually fall because of all the leaves.

"They had a lot of ropes and moving platforms at Howletts, so they are used to things that move, but it is amazing to see them climbing here."