gorilla island

although Kate loves being with the newborns, she always has time for an old friend – nico the gorilla.

‘He’s 56 and he is the oldest surviving western Lowland gorilla in captivity in Europe – and possibly in the world,’ she says. ‘He’s a bit temperamental and there are some people he just doesn’t like to have anywhere near him. I feel lucky that he doesn’t mind me visiting him on Gorilla Island.

He has his bedtime routine: ribena followed by a yoghurt which contains his medicines. we scatter bits of fruit around, so he has stuff to do overnight, and we leave his telly on. He is just such a remarkable animal. It is always a treat to go and see nico.’