Party held for recovered gorilla

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/kent/8323025.stm

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A first birthday party has been held for a baby gorilla after he was reunited with his mother following eight days in intensive care.

Louna was separated from his social group at Port Lympne, near Hythe, Kent, after a severe bout of gastroenteritis.

Staff at the park celebrated his birthday at a party with special sponge and fruit cakes for the animals.

A park spokesman said separating Louna from his 17-year-old mother, FouFou, risked him being rejected.

However the treatment was needed to allow him to overcome dehydration.

Despite an initial lack of interest in her offspring, FouFou eventually began to show signs of maternal affection when Louna was returned to the group.

Eddie Kemsley, head of communications at the park, said: "Louna's first birthday is not only a special landmark for him given his recent spell in intensive care, but also a true testament to the skill employed by both the veterinary staff and the keepers."

Port Lympne was set up by the late millionaire John Aspinall to protect and breed rare and endangered species.