Big love at the zoo ... but is a little gorilla on the way?

It was love at first sight. Only six weeks after moving into Gorilla Kingdom at London Zoo, nine-year-old female Jookie has become inseparable from silverback Bobby - and now a baby could be on the way.

The whirlwind romance has sparked delight among keepers. The last time a gorilla was born at the zoo was 21 years ago and Bobby, 25, has never been a father.

Jookie - short for Mjukuu - was previously at Chessington. Keeper Iona Stewart said: "It's a historic moment because this is the beginning of what will be a big group of gorillas which will be used for breeding.

"We knew we needed a socially adept gorilla to bring the group together and we chose Jookie specially because she is so confident. We are so excited by how well it's worked."

Ms Stewart told how the gorillas' relationship developed: "Jookie had only been here two weeks when she came into season and we could tell that Bobby had fallen for her. There was a lot of direct eye contact, which is quite a come-on in gorilla terms.

"They did a lot of playing and sitting next to each other just touching. Then it got a bit like a cheesy soap opera."

Bobby has previously mated with two other females who failed to conceive. But keepers are confident that there will be a result this time. They say that if Jookie is not pregnant already, it's only a matter of time.