Kesho the gorilla was separated from his brother Alf after he was chosen to take part in a breeding programme
But the brothers acted as if they had never been apart when they were reunited at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire
Family reunions can be rather awkward affairs. But these long-lost relatives were quick to break the ice in the warmest of ways – with a great big bear hug.
Kesho the gorilla and his younger brother Alf had been apart for nearly three years after being sent to different zoos.
They were reunited this week in their new home in Longleat Safari Park and welcomed each other with open arms – followed by shoulder squeezes, handshakes and the odd bit of brotherly rough and tumble.
The pair will now live together in a £3million enclosure at the Wiltshire park.
Born at Dublin Zoo, they were separated when Kesho, 13, was sent to London Zoo to take part in a breeding programme.
He proved to be infertile, but while living with three females as the dominant male he became the leader of the pack – and transformed from a small blackback gorilla to a strapping great 35st silverback who towers over his nine-year-old brother.
Fortunately, this wasn’t enough to stop Alf recognising him. Gorillas, which share 98 per cent of their DNA with humans, can identify each other by the shape of their noses.
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