Gorillas in Our Midst: A Zookeeper’s Tale of Hand-Rearing Baby Gorillas

Join us for an evening with dedicated zookeeper and primate expert Alan Toyne for a peep behind the scenes of the fascinating world of Bristol Zoo – and hear his truly extraordinary story of hand-rearing two baby gorillas…

When Afia, a newborn Western Lowland Gorilla, is rejected by her mother Kera after a difficult birth, her human keepers must start the challenging – but rewarding – experience of hand-rearing her themselves. Teaching her the ropes of life in the Gorilla House at Bristol Zoo is tricky enough. But providing 24/7 care for a baby gorilla means Alan must hand-rear Afia in his own home too; an experience which forges a remarkable emotional bond between the two of them over the course of many sleepless nights.

Soon a second baby gorilla, Hasani, is facing rejection from his mother, and Alan and his colleagues must embark on a daring mission to train Kera – now recovered but socially isolated – to become Hasani’s surrogate mother. Can she learn to protect and love Hasani as her own, in a way she couldn’t for Afia? Can she find her maternal instincts and claim a place within the troop at last?

Complete with personal videos and images, and a post-event Q&A, this is a talk not to be missed.

Books will be available to buy on the night (or take advantage of our book and ticket deal!) and there will be an opportunity to get them signed an inscribed.