In central Africa, the gorillas’ natural habitat is no longer a safe haven as deforestation, poaching and human diseases take their toll.

The Aspinall Foundation is working to rehabilitate baby and adult gorillas and reintroduce them to the jungles of Congo-Brazzaville.

Mountain gorillas have moderately long coats, are black and tinged at the back with silver, whereas western lowland gorillas (above) are natural redheads, with slightly pointed skulls covering short orange fur.

The foundation originally kept gorillas rescued from traders in an orphanage, but was granted a natural reserve by the Congolese government.

The baby gorillas are attended to by nursemaids

Oudiki was born at Howletts Wild Animal Park

The young gorillas sleep out at night and play further afield as they get older.

So far, the foundation has successfully reintroduced two groups back into the wild, including Tchivou and baby Elikia (left) with Koto and baby Elonga (right).

And one day, hopefully, they will mate, have babies