Baby gorilla Kaius all set for his next big move at Mogo Wildlife Park

Zookeeper Chad Staples knew this day was coming, but the adorable baby gorilla’s next milestone will be a tough one to watch. Find out what’s next for Kaius.

Zookeeper Chad Staples always knew this day was coming, but he won’t lie — leaving Kaius to stand on his own two feet in the gorilla world is a milestone that may well cause a few tears.

“This is the moment we have been planning for, Kaius to live in the enclosure with another gorilla so that human contact will be less and less,” Mr Staples told The Sunday Telegraph this week, revealing the transition is imminent.

“I’m worried, excited, scared, all those emotions if I’m honest, but we are in that sweet spot where we think Kaius is ready, so it’s time.”

The 10-month-old, who has been raised by Mr Staples after the primate’s mother experienced complications at birth, will live with his “aunty” G-Anne.

The adult female gorilla has shown an interest in the little bub since he moved from his cot in Mr Staple’s home on site to his own enclosure next to G-Anne.

An emotional Chad Staples from Mogo Zoo gets in a few final cuddles with Kaius the gorilla before he is introduced to his potential new enclosure next week. Pictures: Sam Ruttyn

Fans all over the world have followed the journey of the photogenic little ape, who recently charmed NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe who made a special visit.

Kaius developed sepsis pneumonia and was gravely ill when humans intervened at Mogo Wildlife Park on October 21. His mum was suffering medical complications and unable to care for him.

Kaius has melted the hearts of everyone around him. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Chad Staples has been with Kaius since the gorilla’s early battle for life. Picture: Supplied

“On the first night I had him, when all the health care people had treated him and left, we all knew there was a high chance he would crash overnight,” Mr Staples said at the time.

“Everyone puts it down to skin on skin contact and giving him the emotional connection and stability — what got his heart rate down and what stabilised his breathing was that contact of him being on my chest, listening to my heartbeat.”

Mr Staples cuddled the primate he has raised since birth at Mogo Wildlife Park for one last photo shoot when The Sunday Telegraph visited this week.

Once Kaius enters his new home he will be off display for at least a month as he settles in with his aunty.

Kaius is now 10 months old and eating solids – although not usually noses!

Staff will watch closely to see how Kaius bonds with his ‘aunty’. Pictures: Sam Ruttyn

On a healthy diet of solids now, and with a particular taste for potato, he will still be fed his milk bottles through the mesh by the zoo keepers.

“He will be able to come and get those feeds without us having to go in,” Mr Staples said.

“Once we let them in together it will be up to them as far as what human contact we have.

“If she latches on to him like mother and son, then we will let that relationship thrive. If they are more just roommates then he will still get the human touch he needs to keep developing.

“Like everything through this journey it’s going to be wait and see.”

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